The stegoceratops was no longer a stegoceratops, and she decided that her name was Claire. Well, she didn't decide, really, because her mother had chosen the name when she was born. Was her mother a stegoceratops? No, she wasn't. And the stegoceratops was no longer a stegoceratops. No longer a stegoceratops. Funny how that was. And her father- Oh, never mind him. But what about her daughter? She seemed to recall that she was half and half-
She had a daughter.
Yes, she did, didn't she? She asked herself this question, but forgot who or what she was referring to when the words had passed through her consciousness. Her mind was like that: forgetting things right when she was on the verge of a breakthrough. If only she could bring herself to hold onto her thoughts, perhaps she would remember why she was here in the first place. To rescue the stegoceratops! That was it! Wasn't it? . . .
As soon as the trio stepped foot on the drawbridge that led to the castle, two guards raised their spears in warning. The one on the right froze when Claire stared into the grate that hid his face, and he promptly removed his helmet. When her eyes met his, an explosion of memory very nearly made her convulse. He was so familiar, and she was remembering- and then she wasn't. But she didn't need to remember, because she had realized something very important. He was real. He was as real as she was. And now they were together.
The others were not aware of this connection.
"-if you'll just put down your spears-"
"Why have you come to my door? What is your quest?"
Lowery gulped.
"I, uh- We wanted to, um . . . Erm, what I mean to say is . . . Do you have a job opening?"
"For a magician? No. We have a witch named Raven."
"Is she good?"
"Very good."
Lowery snapped his fingers.
"I can be better. I can changes oranges into cats, and tangerines into hairless cats. Sometimes."
The guard laughed and pulled off his helmet.
"You should know better than to lie to King Wu. I find your confidence amusing, however, so you may stay. The prince will show you to your rooms."
He elbowed the other man, who had not broken eye contact with Claire. He was startled, and dropped his shield.
"Oh! Um, right. I'm Prince Owen," he muttered.
He held out his hand for the stegoceratops maiden.
"You must be tired after such a long journey. Let me help you."
He led her into the castle. Lowery shot Karen a confused look, then leaned close to whisper in what failed to be a discreet manner.
"Why does he have antlers? . . ."
***TLS***
Penumbra had traveled far, but not nearly far enough. She could feel the earth shifting, no doubt the result of the catastrophic changes that were beginning to shape the land she had left behind. The telltale rumblings made her nervous, and she wondered whether she would be able to pick up the pace. There was a very specific, very unusual reason why she was finding it difficult to concentrate. When she reached a clearing in the forest, she wheeled around suddenly and shouted at a nearby bush.
"Stop following me!"
After an uncertain pause, a man stepped out of the woods sheepishly. He put his hands in his pockets and jogged up to her.
"How long have you known that I was watching?"
"Long enough. You're good, but I'm better. Why are you so concerned with what I'm doing, anyway?"
He shrugged.
"I find it strange that our world has changed so radically, yet you seem to be on some sort of mission. You're after something. I can tell by the way you move. What are you doing?"
"I'm finding a way out of here."
"There's no need. Once the Beneath and Elliesium split apart, you'll return to your rightful place."
"Which just happens to be the Beneath."
He was surprised by this reveal.
"Oh . . . I just assumed . . . I mean . . ."
She scowled.
"Look, I'm not a bad person, okay? I got sent here because of a great injustice, and now I need to find a way back to Earth. I'll settle for any world, as long as it's not the Beneath."
He quirked a brow.
"What do you mean 'great injustice'? Are you sure you're not just some bitter criminal who actually deserves their punishment?"
"Is that what they say about us in Elliesium?"
"I wouldn't know. I'm not from there."
There was a beat before she answered.
"Alright. Well, if you're from the Beneath too, you have no ground to criticize me."
"I'm not. I just thought you might be from Elliesium, in which case it would be my duty to help you."
"Your duty?"
"Self-assigned. When I died, Elliesium did not exist. My soul wandered idly. I made it my mission to give guidance to others. I committed an atrocious crime when I was alive, and more than anything, I want others to avoid making the same mistake. That's why I helped the living. Eventually, though, I was asked to enter Elliesium. I considered it, but found that I couldn't let myself be rewarded, because even after everything I've done to right my wrongs, I haven't come to terms with my greatest crime. That's why I was going to offer you help, if you needed it: I'm not finished repenting."
She sneered.
"First of all, I don't need your help, and second, what's wrong with you? If you had the chance to enter Elliesium, you should have taken it, because that invitation would mean by default that you're good."
"No matter what the world thinks of me, I can't forget my inexcusable actions."
"What did you do?"
"I killed someone."
"Just one person?"
"Taking even a single life is enough to tear a man's soul apart."
Penumbra scoffed.
"Right. Well, you ought to know that it's not the killing that makes you evil: it's the reasoning behind it. I'd kill for justice. That doesn't make me a bad person."
The man gulped.
"I don't think anyone should kill, no matter the cause, but I understand what you're saying. There is no justification for the murder I committed, however. I was not protecting anyone. I was following the orders of a madman."
"If you were pressured into doing it, it's not entirely your fault."
"Maybe not, but I feel guilty, all the same."
Penumbra didn't know how to respond to that, nor did she particularly care. The tremors were getting stronger, which meant that she was running out of time.
"I have to go."
The man held up his hand.
"Wait. Let me come with you. Even if you don't think you need help now, I'd like to be around in case you do."
"Why would you help me if you believe I'm evil?"
"I never said you were evil."
"I'm from the Beneath, aren't I? Doesn't that give you reason to believe I am?"
He shook his head.
"I'm not sure you are. From what little I've heard of your story, it seems as though you are misled, and I'd like to get to know you better before passing judgment. I wouldn't stop myself from helping you, anyway, unless my assistance will directly lead to the misery of others."
"What if I told you that I intend to kill someone?"
"I might ask you why."
"The person I'm trying to kill is responsible for the death of my people."
The man nodded.
"I can see why you'd want revenge. I'm not sure that killing this person will solve anything, on the other hand. That doesn't mean I can't be of use to you. I'll help you on your journey, but along the way, I'd like us to come up with an alternative to murder."
"I doubt you will find one."
"I can try."
Penumbra thought about this. A sharp quiver of the soil beneath her feet reminded her that she would have to make her decision quickly.
"Fine. If you slow me down, I'm leaving you behind. I doubt that you can change my mind, but I won't stop you from trying. What should I call you?"
"My name on Earth was Monsanto, but I'd prefer to take another."
"Fine. We'll come up with something different."
"What's your name?"
"Penumbra. At least, it used to be. I went by 'Tess' for a while. You should know that I'm not what I seem."
"That's rather cryptic. Are you going to explain yourself?"
The ground began to crack.
"Later. We have to pick up the pace."
"Alright. Let me know what I can do. Let me help you."