"Kadence, what are you doing?!" The masked figure exclaimed, almost toppling over. His arms were held out in an awkward attempt not to get his daggers near her.
"You scared me, damn it!" She snapped, pouting, "What are you doing anyway?"
"Wendy told me you were kidnapped-" He started, sounding confused.
"Put down your weapons," I said immediately in an irritated tone, sheathing my own and running a hand through my hair.
That Wendy woman is a pain in the ass.
"Kidnapped?" She snorted, stepping back and crossing her arms, "As if I would get kidnapped."
"B-But she said that you were taken away by knights..."
I raised an eyebrow, saying in an exasperated voice, "She insisted that she came with us. We didn't have much choice in the matter."
"But what about that Judgment guy...?" He sounded lost, sheathing his daggers.
"This is him!" Kadence said happily, gesturing to me, "He's my new friend! His name is Seriph!"
"Oh," He sounded embarrassed, idly fidgeting, "I-I'm sorry I thought..."
"It's fine," I said with a sigh, feeling tired.
"You didn't mention your brother was an assassin," Metal said slowly, making me realize the same. I looked between the two of them in shock.
"If my brother were an assassin, don't you think my house would be fancier?" She said, rolling her eyes and grabbing her brothers arm, "He's a jack of all trades. He does all sorts of stuff."
"What happened?!" Anastasias voice shouted, accompanied by light footsteps. In a second she appeared in the doorway, still dressed in her white nightgown, and breathing heavily. I could tell she had run all the way here. Her eyes widened at the sight before her and she squeaked out, "Who is that?!"
"Dont worry!" Kadence said, laughing, "This is my brother. Bro, this is Seriph the Judgment Knight, Metal the Metal Knight and Anastasia the Princess."
"I told you," Metal complained, "It's my title, not my name!"
"Seriph, is it okay if brother stays too?" Kadence asked pleadingly. Beside my I felt Anastasia stiffen, and turned to her slightly in confusion.
"Absolutely not," A voice sounded from behind me. I saw Anastasia relax out of the corner of my eye, my confusion doubling. Grisia walked in, face stern, "The Temple isn't an inn."
"Oh," Kadence mumbled, looking crestfallen, "Right. Sorry..."
"You should both go back to the North immediately," He continued seriously, "You have people worrying for you."
"What?" Kadence said in shock, eyes wide, "Straight away?! But we only just got here and-"
"It's for the best," He said grimly.
"Grisia," I said in a confused voice, "Why can't they stay for a day or two? The festivities have started and he's probably tired-"
"Seriph," Grisia snapped, turning to look at me with annoyed eyes, "Don't forget who I am. They'll leave as soon as possible."
"You're the former Sun Knight," I snapped, losing my patience, "Don't forget who I am. I'm the Judgment Knight; you have no authority over me."
"I believe I do, however," Anastasias soft voice sounded beside me. I turned to look at her in shock. Despite only wearing her nightgown she looked regal, her head held high and her hands poised elegantly in front of herself, "You are to listen to the former Sun Knight. That is an order from your monarch."
"Anastasia," Metal exclaimed, reminding me of his presence, "What's this all about?! Why are you two being so rude?"
"It's okay," Kadence said quietly. She was twisting her dress awkwardly, eyes downcast, "I'm sorry. I didn't realize I was being such a bother. We'll leave right away."
"Good," Grisia said, turning to leave.
"Hey!" Her brother suddenly yelled angrily, "I don't know what my sister has done, but don't you think you're being a bit too rude?! I don't care who you are, nobody talks to her like that!"
"Brother," She said, tugging at his sleeve and shaking her head, "Don't."
She turned, walking to the bed where a book laid on the ground, open. She picked it up carefully, closing it and handing it to me with a pained smile, "Would you mind returning this to Cloud Knight for me? Tell him I'm grateful."
I took it, at a loss of what to do. Next she walked over to Metal, punching his shoulder and saying, "Be nicer to people. Buttface. Thanks for bringing me here," She smiled, "It was fun."
"You shouldn't have to go," He said in an angry voice, "Don't listen to them."
"It's okay!" She said in a bright voice, "I miss the snow anyway! It's a bit too warm here."
"I'll leave the transportation arrangements to you," Grisia said to Anastasia. I glared at him as he left, too angry to worry about retribution. Then I turned to Anastasia angrily.
"What game are you two playing at?" I snapped.
She glanced at me out of the corner of her eye, not turning to look as she said in a regal voice, "I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about."
"You two can't stand each other. So what is it that has the two of you working together?!" I growled, suspicious. They were hiding something. I could tell it.
"Judgment Knight," Anastasia said coldly, turning to look at me with fierce eyes, "Don't pry into this."
"Alright!" Kadence interrupted our argument as she pulled her brother out of the room by his hand, "Let's go! I bet Wendy is worried. We should buy her a souvenir on the way out..."
"We'll go with you to send to off," I said quietly, following them without waiting for permission and flicking my hood up, tucking my long black hair into it, "The festival is still on."
"No you aren't," Anastasia snapped.
"I'm afraid this one goes over your head," Metal said with a lopsided grin, "We couldn't possibly let the Princess walk through the festival without an escort! Especially after the King scolded us for the abundance of criminals. I'm afraid it's too dangerous, Your Highness."
She looked furious but I only glanced at her coldly.
I'm going to find out what they're hiding.
"Are you okay?" Her brother asked softly. Beneath the mask his eyes were visible, a startling blue. They were filled with worry as he rested a hand on her shoulder.
"Mhm," She murmured, her brow furrowed, "I just feel like I had something to do. I can't remember what it is… Ah!" Realization hit her and she turned to me quickly, "Jean! You'll take care of him, Right?"
I nodded solemnly.
"Who's Jean?" Her brother asked curiously.
"A kid these two rescued off the streets," Metal said, adjusting his hood as we walked.
"Oh," He murmured, looking at me with a confused face. Metal and Kadence began to talk about the journey back, walking to stand near the open window. Anastasia disappeared into her room. Her brother stopped and stood with me, "What… What happened?"
"We were sent up North to capture a necromancer," I explained quietly as we stood in the hall, waiting for Anastasia to get changed, "A few things happened and she insisted on coming back with us."
"Has she caused any trouble?" He asked worriedly. I shook my head and he asked in confusion, "Then why do they seem so intent on us leaving the city?"
"I'd like to know that too," I said quietly, watching Kadence in worry, "And I intend to find out."
"You don't really seem like how Wendy described you," He admitted, looking embarrassed, "I'd pictured you dripping in blood and looking sinister…"
That reminded me of something, and I asked softly, "Why doesn't she know how to write? Or anything about the Twelve Holy Knights?"
"We were raised in an isolated area," He explained, looking at Kadence with a sigh, "We only moved to that town recently. I was hoping it would help her…"
"Help her do what?" I asked curiously.
"Be more," He paused, frowning, "Like herself, I suppose. She seems uneasy all the time. It's not like her."
"Hi there," A voice sounded down the hallway. I turned and saw a figure hooded in red walking to us, her head down and only her scarlet lips showing as she murmured in a lilting voice, "You have no idea how hard it was to sneak past the guards and find you," She raised one delicate, caramel hand and pulled back the hood slightly to look at me as she walked to stand in front us, "I have something I needed to talk to you about."
The two by the window didn't even turn to look, obviously in their own world as they talked.
My eyes widened in recognition. It was the fortuneteller. Her curled brown hair peaked out of the conspicuous cloak, her bright gold eyes staring at me seriously. She managed to sneak past the guards?! Even wearing all that bright red?!
"You-" I started, unsure of whether or not she was a threat.
"Aunty?" The brothers voice sounded confused and I turned to stare at him in shock. His eyes were wide beneath the mask and he bent down to get a closer look at her.
"Child," She smiled, flashing white teeth, "Do you know how long I've been looking for you? Silly thing."
"I can't believe it's you," He looked excited, turning to walk to Kadence, "Ka-"
The woman grabbed his arm, shaking her head and laughing, "Don't bother. More importantly," Her smile dropped and her face became serious, "Are you two leaving?"
He nodded, looking confused, "Sorry. I would have loved to catch up with you, but we're being asked to-"
"No," She snapped, looking angry and worried, "You two stay. You have to. She came because-" She stopped, looking at war with herself before she looked away sharply, "Stay."
"Who's this?" Kadence asked, both her and Metal now looking back at us. Her eyes widened and she pointed at her Aunt angrily, "Ah! The fake fortune teller!"
What? Doesn't she recognize her?
"Kadence," Her brother reprimanded seriously, "You shouldn't talk to Aunty like that."
"Who?" Kadence looked confused and she walked to stand next to him.
"It doesn't matter," Her aunt said, avoiding her stare, "You two will stay within the city."
"No they aren't," Anastasia said, pushing open the door. She was wearing a plain grey dress, a black robe fastened around her shoulders. Her hair was tucked in the robe, away from her face as she glared at the woman, "Who are you?"
The woman groaned, looking angry, "Of course it had to be you," Anastasia looked shocked as the woman strode to stand toe to toe with her, looking intimidating as she growled, "They're staying."
"Hey!" Kadence snapped, pushing the woman away, "Who the hell are you?!"
"It's Aunty," Her brother said in a confused voice, "Why are you both acting so odd?"
There was a tense silence and I watched the odd scene, suspicious.
"A friend of your parents," The woman finally said softly, her face pleading as she said, "You both have to stay in the city. It's important-"
"No," Anastasia said firmly, standing in-between the woman and Kadence, "They have to leave. I made a promise."
"And so did I," the woman snapped harshly, "Don't meddle in things you have no knowledge of, ignorant little girl. Do you know how long I've been looking for them both? I came tonight to live up to my promise, and I still intend to."
"She doesn't even know you," Anastasia said coldly, eyes like ice, "You're a nuisance."
The woman smiled mockingly, "She doesn't know you either, does she?"
Anastasia looked like she had been punched in the gut, gritting her teeth tightly and snapping, "Which is why she needs to leave now."
She didn't wait for a reply, grabbing Kadence's arm and beginning to drag her down the hall.
"She wants to remember," The woman called out suddenly, all trace of mockery gone. Her gold eyes were trained on Anastasia steadily, her stance stuff.
Anastasia stopped before saying in a harsh voice, "You're lying."
"She's screaming in there. You're being selfish," The womans voice was cold.
"What are you two talking about?" Kadence suddenly yelled, shrugging Anastasia's hand off and turning to glare at the two of them, "What is it you're keeping from me?! Why do I have to leave or stay?!"
"Kadence calm down," I said softly. Around her feet ice had begun to snake, wind dancing around her quietly.
"No!" She snapped suddenly, face determined, "Everybody is hiding something! I need to-" She stopped, face suddenly confused, "I need…"
She shook her head, looking torn. Her brother rested a hand on her shoulder, looking down at her in worry.
"See?" The woman said smugly.
"One of you tell me what's happening," I said, eyes dangerous.
The woman laughed, shaking her head, "I don't listen to your people, Little Judgment Knight."
"If neither of you are going to listen to me," I growled, turning and striding away, "I'm going to find the person who has to."
"I'm coming with you," Kadence said angrily, glaring at Anastasia and the woman as she strode after me, "Who is it?"
"Grisia," I replied.
It's hard not just jumping ahead with the plot line. . So what do you think so far? :3
I love reading your reviews~! ^u^