Chapter 4: Loyalties

I peered down, watching the girl resting along the tree. I was hidden in the leaves from the branches. In order to get her to be subservient to me, I had to break her. Make her rely on me and only me. "You're wasting too much time on her. Who even cares about her and her stupid instrument." I heard Rhaast growl in my mind. I shook my head at his words. Soon he'll see her importance, why is it that I can only see it? Plus this was something that was entertaining. Sure I'd have to dispose of her eventually but what's the harm in having some pet that would do anything for you?

"Her instrument is an old relic that has potential to be quite powerful, Rhaast… I want to learn of its power and maybe harness it for my own." I responded, Rhaast mumbled more in disagreement. I leaned against the tree more watching her, even if she'd comply. How would I teach her? Of course I could maybe have Rhaast show me the instruments strength but that runs the risk of him corrupting it's power for himself. I sighed and took a deep breath in. Using my focus to block out Rhaasts presence in my mind. I needed time alone in my mind. Hiding secrets from him was incredibly difficult and it required utmost focus. I closed my eyes to focus more. I swallowed and opened my eyes. Silence. It was quiet in both my mind and the area around me. I'd have to train her on my own without the help of Rhaast. Perhaps she could help me as well, bending the will of Rhaast to be my own. I looked at my left hand seeing the corrupted flesh that reached all the way up to my shoulder. The flesh protruded and hardened into what felt like steel. Perhaps… I turned my focus back onto the girl. She had woken up finally and was staring out into the village. She hugged her knees to her chest and continued to watch.

She turned to her instrument, it had floated in front of her. Landing in front of her she touched the base of it. She lifted her delicate hand gently plucking a string. The sound echoed in the area, the birds that were chirping had stopped. I leaned forward more to watch her. She moved her other hand and plucked more strings. The sound was solemn as if it was a cry. She looked up almost in a trance, playing more. It was eerie yet entrancing. Her face looked as if it was about to cry, she played more. Soon I could see her instrument glow, and images appeared. Images of her slain friend's faces swarmed around her. Disappearing into small glowing orbs she reached out to them with her hands. She bowed her head and looked back up. The orbs dissipated into smaller shimmering orbs that floated around, she went back and played more. Mourning, she was playing a lament for the fallen. I rolled my eyes at her, resting my head against the tree. Whatever. She can play whatever she wants, mourning for the dead was a lost cause. Wasted energy that can be used to better on something else.

After a few hours playing for the dead. I watched her, leaning against the tree. "Finally." I crossed my arms watching her stretch. She noticed the path road that wasn't too far and had followed it. It was going away from the village back deeper into the woods. "Do you think she knows where she's going?" Rhaast mused, I could hear the smirk in his voice.

"No, but it'll be fun to see where she goes exactly." I thought a low chuckle escaping my lips. I leapt down from the tree and landed quietly a few feet behind her. She paused, I quickly sunk into the shadows of the tree nearby. Could it be that she has heightened hearing? She turned her eyes darting around. Her breathing had quickened, she waved her hand to her side. Her instrument had floated around. Finding nothing she turned back around and continued walking along the cobble path. It was broken from use and perhaps just being old. The sun was setting fast, the tree leaves swayed in the wind. It felt almost nostalgic. "How long do you plan to keep following her, Kayn?" The deep voice echoed in my mind. The words were laced with boredom.

"Maybe for a few hours, I unfortunately have a time constraint with Varus. You know how he gets when things don't go his way." I rolled my eyes at the thought of another lecture from the Darkin archer. It was bad enough that I had to go through one last night about her.

"Kayn… I don't know what you are doing but you and I both know we can't continue this." Varus spoke, turning to look at me. His face was riddled with frustration. I sighed, knowing exactly what this was going to turn into.

"Yes but it's so boring. We are powerful, the people should fear the power we hold." I sighed, shaking my head.

"So this is just for your amusement then? Because you're… Bored?" He narrowed his eyes more. I rolled my eyes at him.

"Kinda yes."

"Kayn... This is ridiculous, I'm going back in there and getting rid of her myself." I moved to block him from entering the cave.

"You're not letting me finish." I crossed my arms, it was my turn to glare at him. He stopped short from me.

"She's different." I turned my head to the cave entrance, listening to see if she was going to randomly pop out again like last time.

"Different how.." He questioned.

"You saw it. Her instrument, it's an old relic. I want to study it and harness its power for…" I stopped, "For us." I turned to look back at him. He looked at me, like a blank slate, unreadable.

"Even so, she won't help you. So why are you keeping her alive?" He prodded more.

"Is this the part where it's entertaining for you?" He continued, I felt my smile creep up.

"A little yes, but if she doesn't comply. I'll simply just break her into being obedient." I looked into Varus' eyes.

"And if she still doesn't?" He mused again.

"Then I'll personally kill her." There was a pause before he spoke again.

"Kayn we can't be late. I'll let you have your fun for now. But if this project of yours fails, or it runs us behind. You have my word that I will kill the girl." He hissed before pushing past me back into the cave. I turned to walk back inside, Rhaast was weirdly quiet tonight."

The coos of birds above me snapped me from my focus. I looked around and didn't see her. Walking from the safety of the brushes and trees I looked around more. Listening for footsteps. "How did you lose her?" Laughter echoed in my head once more. I shook my head making the voice dissipate. She couldn't have gotten far, so I looked around again. It was dimly lit, it would be dark out in maybe half an hour. Finding her in the dark wouldn't be hard however it would be time consuming. I stood in the silence, only the sound of leaves could be heard.

Maybe she strayed off the path? I looked for any signs of her walking off the pathway. Yet there wasn't any evidence. Where did you go girl..

~xXx~

Note: Hi short chapter this week :3 but I'm happy with it. Where did she go? who knows... find out next time... or not... who knows..