New chapter! Yay!
I don't own Ice Age!
Enjoy!
If ya'll are interested, I think next chapter I'll reveal who the new bride is… or at least narrow it down to two. I know my only reviewer so far is looking forward to that…
Opal, after five hours of restless work, was finally done. She'd been carefully carving away all of the new gems, putting them into every shape. Simply because Zalim had showed her just the tiniest spark of subconscious kindness by letting her live, did not mean he would accept anything but her best. Better than her best, in his words. She wasn't sure how she felt about his sparing her; she'd never heard of anyone being called to Lord Zalim's lair and coming out alive. Coming out at all, actually.
She'd cut the jewels into every shape; triangles, squares, diamonds, orbs, but her favorite was the oval. For some reason, the opals just looked… right cut like that. But it was Lord Zalim's bride to decide.
Her wolf escort from before stood in the corner of her cave of work, watching with an emotionless face. She'd barely said a word, only her name, and Opal's new orders. Once the jewels were finished, she was to bring them to Zalim for approval. Putting the brush aside, she observed the final jewel. It's polish was quickly drying, shining extravagantly even in the dim light of her small candle. "There…" she turned to Midnight. "They're finished."
Midnight spoke for the second time. "We'll let our Lord Zalim be the judge of that."
…
The ruler of the island was just beginning his evening meal when he sensed a new presence enter his lair. It must be Opal, he determined, back with her gems. He grinned to himself and waved a hand through the air. His silver plate and golden goblet filled themselves, and he reclined back in his diamond studded chair. Being an all powerful overlord with magic abilities did have it's perks.
His magically enhanced sense of hearing detected Opal and Midnight's footsteps approaching the dining cave, so, just as they stood in the door way, he said "Enter." He heard them each take a single step forward, and he thrust out a hand, not turning to see them. "No. Only the rabbit. Midnight, tend your evening duties."
"Yes Lord Zalim." And the predator was gone.
Opal swallowed thickly as she slowly walked into the dining room. It was lit by torches, casting shadows everywhere. She stopped at the base of his throne shaped golden chair, where she kneeled respectfully. "Lord Zalim."
"Young Opal." She was jerked into the air, and she saw his finger flick, sending her down onto the table beside his cup. It was as big as she was. Bigger even. "Well. Show me what you have done."
"Y-Yes sir, of course!" she carefully pulled the jewels out, one at a time, placing them down gently as not to scratch or scrape them. When she was finished, she bowed and awaited his response. "D- Do they please you, Milord?"
"They are sufficient." He fingered one triangular one admiringly. "They will do. Gold or silver?"
"My Lord?"
He sighed in exasperation, grinding his teeth. He still had plans for her; he couldn't incinerate her yet. "Do you plan to set them in gold or silver?"
"B-Both, I would think…" she responded meekly. "When my queen arrives, I will let her decide which to continue making."
"Mmm…" he fingered one cut onto an orb. "Child, I have a proposition for you."
Opal gulped. That couldn't be good. "Y-Yes sir?" she squeaked faintly.
"My wife's room is being designed this very moment. Would you" his ruby eyes flitted down to her. "See to it everything goes just as planned? I want her to have the most well furnished room possible. She must be comfortable."
"M… Me, Lord Zalim?"
"Do you see anyone else here?"
"N-No sir."
"Then yes, you." He waved a hand horizontally in front of them, and a magic smokescreen appeared. It showed two images. The one at left showed a cave somewhere off in the mountain that had been carved and hollowed out for Zalim's lair. The walls were being scrubbed at by some creature she couldn't make out, leaving a glittery residue behind, so it shimmered prettily. There was a large wooden structure off to the left, a hollow rectangular base, with four large pillars rising from each corner. Hanging above was a canopy of leaves, all stitched together, flowers woven in. The bottom was filled to the brim with cotton, and right beside their was one of those… weaving things. She couldn't remember what they were called… but at it sat a possum, her hands moving swiftly about the device, weaving what looked like silk. Ah… preparations for the queen's room.
The right image was entirely different. The walls were done, glittery and strung with every flower imaginable. The bed was finished, the sheets silk and the blanket looked like some kind of fur, dyed a gentle pink. The pillows were similar, though they were pastel purple. There was a window on the back wall, sunshine –blessed sunshine- shining in, lighting the whole room cheerfully. Vines of honeysuckle grew around the windows edges. Right before the door was a rug, woven of dyed silk. In every corner there was a pile of assorted gem, every kind she'd ever seen. Even opals.
"I want her room as luxurious as possible. Better than this image here." He swiped a hand through them both, and they vanished. "Do you accept?"
"B-But, Lord Zalim-"
He slammed a fist down. "DON'T ARGUE WITH ME!"
"Y-Y-Yes sir." She squeaked out, terrified.
"I can assign someone else to complete the jewels. I want you designing her room. Am I clear?" his left hand, furthest from her, lit ablaze with those awful blue flames.
"Yes Lord Zalim! P-Perfectly clear! I'll have it the best room ever to be designed."
"Good…" he picked up his golden goblet and sipped his red drink. It was a bit tart and tangy… just the way he didn't like it. Frowning, he summoned more fire, and snapped his fingers. An agonizing scream echoed through the whole mountain. The cook had just died a painful death. You'd think the staff would learn. He wanted one thing, but sometimes asked for another, just to test them. It was quite enjoyable.
His eyes snapped back to Opal. "Why are you still here? GO!"
She squeaked and hopped off the table, scurrying clumsily to the door. However, before she could go, her stomach growled. She winced and grabbed it, a sudden pain shooting through it. Zalim turned his head. The ruler of the island sighed and rolled his eyes, shaking his head. Summoning a small fruit into his hand, he tossed the kiwi at her. It rolled right into her feet. "That should be efficient. Now get to work!"
For the second time that day, Opal smiled.
I just can't help being nice to her! She's growing on me! Please review!