I'm back!
Before anything, go read Motley by KaylaDestroyer and eightbooksand60cats! Its epic! The latest chapter especially! :D
Anyway, enjoy!
"Child…" Opal trembled under his comforting touch. "Dear child, please. Do not stress yourself. You may have all the time you require to make you decision."
"What… what decision?"
Savas blinked, looking surprised. "Well, of course. We cannot force you to help us and risk your life. The choice is yours."
She looked surprised. "You mean… I don't have to."
Avci shook his head. "Not if you don't want to."
Opal blinked. This was new to her. "Can… can I, have some time?"
"But of course."
"Ok… may I go and see Raz?"
…
The six princes had left Opal in Raz's grove to think. She'd knelt in front of her pedestal and dipped her head respectively, closing her eyes. "Oh Mistress…" she sobbed silently. "I… I just don't know what to do! Please forgive my hesitance. I wish to save you, I do! But…" she swiped at her tears. "But I'm scared."
She rose her head to look at her. She was still lying there with her hands folded on her chest, but now, a veil spun of gold gauzy material covered her face. Whimpering, Opal climbed up onto the pedestal, walking to sand beside her head. Tears sliding from her big brown eyes, she slowly lifted the veil, wincing, and snuggled up against her lost Lady's cheek. "I'm so sorry…" she sobbed hoarsely. "But… but I… I just don't think I… I can't…"
Opal felt so very guilty as she lay there, arms folded under her head, curled up under the sheet of gold and sobbing pitifully. She wanted to save Raz, by all means! But… "Oh Raz…" she whimpered meekly. "I'm so… sc- scared…"
"Oh Opal… pwease don't cry."
She turned. There hovered Lela, who had vanished momentarily back to her own kind to mourn their friends' death. "Oh…" she quickly swiped at her eyes . She couldn't let poor Lela see her like this- the little mousling had seen enough pain and hurt already. She didn't need the confusion of seeing one of her only friends cry. Opal sniffed once more, forcing herself to stop. What kind of example was she setting for Lela, sitting here blubbering about her own problems…
She again turned to Ras's face. She pursed her lips, face setting into determination. "I'll do it." She whispered. "I'll do it for you."
…
Opal found herself back in Raz's bedroom, her brothers all patiently waiting for her. She was nervous, shoulders shaking, but she kept moving, even though her feet felt like blocks of iron. She felt stiff and cold, full of dread. 'I have to do this.' She reminded herself. 'I have to. For Raz, for Lela- even for Zalim.' While Zalim had never been kind to her like Raz had, and had in fact struck much fear into her heart, she could tell- he really did love her. It was there in his eyes, which softened just so when they looked at her, how she'd peaked into this room days before and seen her gently held in his arms, how depressed and utterly helpless he'd looked when he'd discovered Raz dead.
It was no secret to almost anyone that Zalim was quite the lonely character. There had been rumors, stories- for thousands of years he'd kept himself locked away in his palace. Some said it was out of fear, some said it was out of distress, and more still claimed it to be out of hesitance and reluctance. To Opal, this made the most sense, when she thought about it. She knew Zalim had been mortal atbone time or another, and so likely he'd had a family. He had them to miss, of course, as immortality could not just be given out. And there was also the problem of, should he find himself fond of someone, perhaps make a friend, in the end they would only die. Opal would honestly want to stay away from people too if that was the reason. And then he'd found Raz, and by magic law she'd attain immortality through marriage. He'd truly loved her…
No one deserved that- to spend five thousand years completely alone, find someone that the truly cared for, then have them taken away, and be powerless to change it.
And then there were the other residents of the island, that had been tortured, overworked to their limits, malnourished, dehydrated. But in the short time Raz had been here, it had changed. People were free from their work and were fed and had water, and children were allowed to actually play and be children for once- Zalim was far too busy admiring his bride to force any sort of work on anyone. She had to help them too- if Raze was brought back, perhaps those happy ways would stay.
"Opal" greater Savas, reaching down to pick her up. She looked him right in the way. She couldn't afford to be afraid now. "Have you made your decision, my dear?"
She nodded. "Yes."
"Ando your decision is…?"
She forced her next breath not to shake. "I will help you."
Relief and joy flooded into the room like a fast river current, undeniable and strong. Saves hugged her right there, gently pressing the tiny girl to his shoulder with arms wrapped around her. "Thank you Opal…!" he whispered. "Thank you!"
He carried her over to the Scepter, setting her on the floor before it. The six brothers formed a semi-circle around her, watching eagerly. The sapphire seemed to wink at her, flickering in the dim light. Her paws trembled.
Opal steeled her nerves. She had to do this.
Taking small steps forward, slowly, ever so slowly, she reached down and slid her hands around the cold metal. Her eyes swept over the prophecy engraved in it. "The sea will boil…" she whispered almost inaudible to herself. "Mighty blood bath…" what could that mean…?
Opal shook her head. She didn't care. She was going to help her friend!
She yelped as the staff shrunk down to rabbit size. Looking to the brothers questioningly, they all shrugged. "It is magic. It suits itself to the wielder."
"…Ah."
However, as she went to lift it, she found with confusion it wouldn't move. She pulled harder, but still nothing. The scepter wouldn't budge. "I- I can't move it!"
"What?!"
"But how-?!"
"But your aura…"
"…Oh no!" Avci slapped both hands over his face. "How could I have been so moronic to overlook this?!"
Savas frowned in confusion. "Overlook what, Brother?"
The eldest merely shook his head, eyes focusing on Opal. "Child, how old are you?"
"Um… t- twelve years, why?"
They all groaned loudly. "Of course! It won't work!"
"But… why?!"
"You're not yet a woman! Only a woman can wield the Scepter!"
Oh no! Another problem! I stayed home from school today with a bad fever, and used my time to finish this. Please review!