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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 15:13:50 GMT -5
“No he won’t.” “I won’t what?” Markus asked, as the door opened and he and Anella came in. “Hit Raythor.” “I wasn’t planning on it, but if you want me to…” “Of course not. Don’t be silly.” “We can go, unless you want us to stay.” Raythor said. “I’m fine, you darling boy.” Laura said. “All right… don’t call me that, though.” The door closed behind him and Anella. “How are you feeling?” Markus asked instantly. “Fine,” Laura assured him. “Come and sit next to me.” “Are you sure?” He said, moving to sit next to her. He took her good hand in his. “I’m positive.” She said evenly. Markus just looked at her for a moment, thanking god that she was alive. “I love you so much.” “I know. Sometimes I can’t believe it, but I know.” “I was so stupid, not to realize…” “You didn’t want to, you were engaged.” “You know, if my father does try to separate us again, we can just take one of my Uncle Richard’s illegitimate children and raise it as our own.” He teased. “Markus!’ Laura said, with mock indignation. “Don’t say things like that.” “Consider it, Laura. He won’t miss just one of them. He might even get twins next time, you never know. “Hopefully I can get pregnant again and we can have our own child.” “Yeah…” “What, don’t you want me to?” “No, of course I want you to.” “You’re scared I’ll lose it again.” “Maybe just a little,” His grip tightened on her hand. “But I won’t let anything happen to you again, I swear it.” “Why do you never just admit that you’re afraid?” “I’m not supposed to.” “Do you ever wish that the two of us could just ride away together?” Laura asked. “I mean… forget that you’re a prince?” “Of course I do, but that’s all it is. It doesn’t matter what I wish.” Markus replied. “I was born to one day become king; I could never leave my country.” “Then you’d better get used to the idea that I’m going to get pregnant again.” Laura said stubbornly. His lips curved upward slightly. “Don’t you think I have something to do with that decision?” “Oh,” Laura waved her hand at him, “you’re more of a minor detail.” “Of course. How foolish of me.” “It won’t be any sort of problem. You just told me how much you love me.” “Hey! I didn’t mean it like that!” “Markus, you should see your face.” Laura said, giggling. “Though I wonder what Raythor’s doing right now…” “What Raythor’s…?” Markus said. Then he looked even more shocked than before.
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 15:14:11 GMT -5
“Or, Richard maybe. He thinks I’m pretty.” “Stop saying things like that,” Markus pleaded, “you’re giving me the most terrible images in my head.” “Sorry, Markus,” Laura said insincerely, “but you shouldn’t have opened your mouth.” “It wasn’t my fault, she-” “Keep that to yourself.” “But we tell each other everything.” Markus said jokingly. “You know what we sound like?” “What?” “Kids.” “Kids, huh?” He leaned over and kissed her gently. “I just remembered that I need to get Dasher to check on you.”
****
“There’s something wrong with him.” Laura said, as Dasher examined her stomach. “Maybe he’s sick.” “I’ll scan him when I can.” Dasher said. She sighed, resting her two front paws on the bed and sitting back on her rear legs. “But… I honestly don’t think it’s a physical problem.” “You think Markus is going crazy?” “Not crazy… I think he’s retreating into himself more and more. He’s more like…” She searched for a word that made sense. “He’s becoming more like Raythor. He doesn’t believe he’s good for anything anymore. I think that the whole kidnapping experience affected him more than he’s letting on.” “I think that too.” Laura agreed worriedly. “What should I do? He seems normal most of the time, but… He gets this terrible lost expression on his face and his smile isn’t the same as it used to be. It’s not as natural. And he’s been getting headaches.” “I might be able to do something about the headaches, when my powers get stronger again. But your arm…” “Help him first.” She wrapped her arms around herself. “Losing this baby… I’ve just made it worse, so much worse… and it’s all my fault…” “No it isn’t, not at all.” Dasher said. She put a paw on Laura’s hand. “My mother had a miscarriage once. It haunted her for a long time, but she did get through it. Just remember that we’re all here for you.” “Thank you for trying to save the baby.” Laura said. She could feel the tears she’d fought back while Markus was with her spring forth once again. “Anybody would have.” She tilted her snout slightly upward. “Markus wouldn’t let me do anything for it until he knew you were safe. No matter what happens to him, he’s going to take care of you.”
****
Markus watched the door, idly listening to the two feminine voices within. Doubtless Dasher and his wife had gotten into another discussion concerning Roland’s
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 15:14:28 GMT -5
health. The throbbing in his temples subsided and his vision fully returned. That was good, he didn’t need any distractions. Kylara started passing by, and he called out her name. She turned, raising an eyebrow. “Yeah?” “Kylara, I don’t know how to thank you for getting back all the weapons and horses.” Markus told her. “I really did do it for you, you know. That wasn’t placating sugary sweetness on Anella’s part. For once.” “Why?” He said, before he could stop himself. She smirked. “I know you all think I just spend my time staring at Raythor’s butt or what ever part of his anatomy you prefer… but I do know all of you.” Kylara said. “And I do give a damn what happens to all of you. And you, Markus… you’re really just a decent guy. There aren’t all that many truly decent people in the world and you’re one of them. So yeah, I did it for you. And don’t worry; I don’t love you or anything like that. Don’t get me wrong, you are really good looking. You’re just not my type.” “Kylara…” The prince said, completely caught off guard. He had expected a curt reply and maybe a smile, just like every other conversation he’d ever had with her. He could just say ‘thank you’ and walk away, pretending he hadn’t always just seen her surface. But he didn’t. “I would have guessed his butt, you’re right.” “What can I say?” Kylara said, laughing. “I’m obvious.” “Is it hard… going through that?” “I’ve bet you’ve broken a few hearts.” She shrugged. “Why can’t he, I suppose? Though Anella…” “She is one of my close friends, you know.” Markus pointed out. “Oh, I know.” This time she smirked as she walked away.
****
“You look so much like your mother.” Alice said wistfully, studying Raythor. “I wouldn’t know.” He replied calmly. “I really don’t remember what she looked like alive.” “And you’re as bitter as I am. I don’t blame you; Caltha has not been kind to either of us.” “I’m not exactly bitter…” “Why wouldn’t you be, after having an entire country hate you for something you didn’t do for eleven years?” “I didn’t know I was innocent.” Raythor sighed. “I’ve been over this a thousand times. I need to let that part of me die.” “But you don’t know what they were like.” “I don’t want to know. I’m sick of hearing about it.” “Do you want to have this hanging over your head for the rest of your life?” Alice asked. “At least I got a little closure after all these years. You deserve some too; you deserve to know why this happened.” “Raythor,” Anella said, coming into the room holding a bunch of flowers, “Why did Saria give these to me and say they were from you?”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 15:15:35 GMT -5
“Because, in the most technical sense possible, they are.” Raythor said, slightly nervously. “I wanted to and… uh…” His eyes flicked over Alice, she flashed a bemused smile. “They…are?” Anella said, noticing Alice too and biting her lip. “I don’t believe that either.” Alice said. “I wanted to do something nice for you and I, of course, couldn’t think of anything….” He said, shifting his weight. “So I asked Laura and she said… that girls, you know, like flowers…” “I’m assuming that’s not much like him.” “No…it’s not.” Anella said. “But I like it.” “Just tell me my parent’s horribly depressing life story.” Raythor interrupted. “This family type moment is really freaking me out.” “Kari was a Whitestar, as you’ve probably already heard.” Alice began hesitantly. “She wanted to use her family’s money to help out the peasants in Caltha. I think there was a terrible epidemic of some kind at that time… Her parents wouldn’t hear of it. Kari was horribly headstrong, and she just wouldn’t listen.” “You asked to hear about your parents?” Anella said. “Really?” “I can’t keep running.” Raythor said evenly. She put a hand on his shoulder and smiled slightly. “Imagine your mother being stubborn. Shocking.” “I bet your mother blushes.” “So she ran away and joined this group of traveling minstrels as a dancer.” Alice said unsurely and Anella nodded at her. “She actually became semi-famous as the ‘Butterfly Dancer’ or something like that. Which is part of the reason their deaths were such a big thing. I guess one of the Nightspeaker princes was sweet on her, and through him she got all the money she stole from her parents distributed fairly quickly. During all this, her family had already disowned her. Sabbath, her brother, had been her best friend. After she left he just sort of…snapped, according to Kari and Hector. Sabbath become obsessed with finding his sister and bringing her home, even after their parents died. He focused all his money on the pursuit as well. The Whitestars don’t have much money left because of it. Caltha is so disorganized he needed every cent he could get his hands on.” “Figures.” Raythor said, and Anella grinned. “At this point, Kari met and fell in love with the blacksmith Hector Karian, my oldest brother. The night before they got married, Sabbath finally found Kari. They got into this giant argument, and when Hector stepped in Sabbath nearly broke his nose. After that, Sabbath stormed off. I don’t think they ever saw him again. They went ahead and married the next day, Hector’s nose aside. The rest of it, Sabbath and Vera’s relationship… I don’t know about that. But the night your parents were slaughtered I know he was there, watching…” She shivered. “Kenetari may have done it but… I don’t know. I don’t think he wanted Kari dead.” “Sabbath played on Vera’s instability to get what he wanted, whether or not her actual death was it. Maybe just my father’s…” Raythor said darkly. “She already saw images of a ‘black thing’ that spoke to her. With him telling her… I don’t know what, that my parents were monsters; she must have focused all her delusions on them. She just sort of…” “Snapped.” Anella said
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 15:16:00 GMT -5
, their voices mingling. “I’m sure the jilted Calthan prince just helped Vera ‘die of a fever’.” Alice agreed. She shook her head. “We are such a sick family. I don’t know why you’re marrying into it, Anella.” “Just lucky, I guess…” Anella said softly. “I’m going outside.” Alice said, smiling slightly as she left. “Don’t say ‘why are you’,” Anella amended quickly. “Because the truth is that I’ve known that you have issues for a long time. But to me, at least, you’re perfect.” “Anella…” Raythor said, pulling her close. “I’m not perfect, you’re perfect. I missed you so much.” “I missed you too. You’re being so sweet today. Thank you for these.” She said, holding up the flowers shyly. “I don’t know… the whole Laura miscarriage thing… I couldn’t go through that. You’re my Laura; I’d fall apart if anything ever happened to you. I don’t know how Markus is doing this well.” “I’m… I’m your Laura?” “Yeah, you know, Markus and Laura fit together so well. I think we could be like that except… our own version of it…” “I…I think I understand what you’re saying.” Anella said slowly. She kissed him, not wanting to let go. She knew Raythor had started not to fight against being with her.
Chapter Twenty Two Burning
“So you’re the new one.” Kenetari said as Ross entered the room. “Where are you?” Ross said nervously, blinking in the darkness. “Who are you?” She moved across the room, skirt swishing, and she watched as he searched blindly for the origin of the sound. “I’m Kenetari.” She told him, moving again. “I’m so sad that you don’t remember me.” “I remember what you did to Anella.” Ross nearly snarled. “You want her back, don’t you? Back to the way it was before my brother came?” “How do you know what it was like?” “Because I’m always watching my dear little Royalty of Everglade. But you aren’t one, are you? You’re an-” “Outsider.” Ross said, realizing that the slight trace of bitterness in his voice meant that he was buying into her insanity. “I know what you are. Anella told me all about you, you’re an unstable murderer. Even more unstable than he is.” “Anella...” Kenetari said, just as his eyes adjusted to the darkness. Ross found himself highly annoyed by the fact she was beautiful. The angles of her face were like Raythor’s, but softer and prettier. The dark blue piercing eyes only added to the effect. She looked like a lady, not like a… “Do you really want to watch her in Raythor’s arms? Do you want to be at their wedding and watch their children grow up? Do you want to lose the one you desire to a nobody?”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 15:16:15 GMT -5
“And I suppose now is when I’m going to get the big speech about how you can get her back for me?” Ross said in a bored tone. “Yeah, like I’m going to buy that.” “What if Raythor dies? Who’s she going to turn to?” “Me… she’d turn to me.” “Exactly. All you have to do is kill him.” “Kill Karian? He’s their frigging idol.” “Who are they going to blame if he dies suddenly?” “Well…you, I guess.” “Then just don’t let them see you.” She smiled. “If you agree… come back here, tonight.”
****
“Markus, you really don’t look so good.” Dasher said worriedly. “Is it true that you’ve been having nightmares and getting headaches?” “It’s no big deal.” Markus said with a shrug. “It sounds like some serious anxiety to me.” “Laura did just have a miscarriage.” Markus protested. “I didn’t tell her but… my father is going to be furious. And I feel… really weird about it.” “You’re grieving. You were getting all excited about having a kid.” “It’s nothing.” “It’s obviously not nothing.” Dasher insisted. “I can handle it. I’ll get through this, we both will.” “If the headaches get worse…” “I’ll tell you, I promise. But they aren’t even that bad. Really.” Markus assured her. “I’m going to see Laura.”
****
Ghost cursed herself silently. Now that Markus could spot her ear, thanks to her own carelessness, she was useless as a shape-shifter. Ghost was the eldest of the three light elementist sisters, and her bland white fur was interrupted only by the star on her forehead and the permanent dark circles beneath her blue eyes. She was also the only one who could use shadow magic, though Archer had more shadows under his command. If she was superfluous, her sisters could be in danger. No matter what, she couldn’t put her sisters in danger. She would have to keep it from Archer as long as possible. There was no other option. “Ghost,” Loss, the second sister, came up to her with concern. She matched her sister perfectly, but her marking was her black rimmed ears instead. “Did he find out?” “Yes…” Ghost said. “I’m sorry…” “It’s all right. You’ll still distract them. Stick to people with long hair, or dark hair. It will hide it better.” Ghost didn’t seem comforted. Loss sighed. “At least Twilight’s having fun, right?” Ghost managed a laugh. “Twilight always has fun, even when…” “Why are we doing this?” Loss asked.
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 15:16:33 GMT -5
“Because Archer is going places. You know we aren’t pure bred… we’d never get anywhere in our world. Maybe we can be something in this one.” “Does that matter? What was wrong with the three of us together?” “I don’t want us to live with nothing, as our parents did.” “Are you two being all serious again?” Twilight skipped in. Her marking was a black blaze that went to her nose, and she was very proud of it, though it was more common in boys. “Stop that! Come on, let’s go, we’ve got a job to do.”
****
Ross’s feet hit the stone beneath him in a heavy tread. He had stopped several times already. He knew this was stupid, and probably fatal, and certainly not ethical. But Anella… He kept walking again, getting closer to the dark little room where he had first seen Kenetari. Ross stumbled over something and fell. Blade looked up at him. “Black.” Blade said, eyes narrowing. “Twenty.” Ross said, slightly breathless. “Where are you going? I was put out here as a sentry…” “So was I.” Ross lied readily. “Oh. How nice.” Blade replaced his head on his paws and eyed Ross warily. Ross sat down; legs crossed, and couldn’t help but think that meeting up with Blade had been a good thing. He had been about to do something stupid, and now it was over and he didn’t need to dwell on it anymore. So much for Raythor and his complicated view of ‘choices’. Fate decided for you.
****
“This one?” Graves asked excitedly. The three elementist sisters had stacked branches against the castle, and he was waiting for the order to set them on fire. “Knock yourself out.” Loss said dryly. Graves looked positively gleeful as he watched the branches catch and start to burn the aging, partially wooden castle. “They’ll all burn.” Graves said. “Burn, burn, burn…” “They will burn.” Loss said, glancing at her sister. Ghost didn’t look at her. She couldn’t.
****
Laura woke up in a cold sweat. She blinked a few times, hugging her knees. The empty, dark room stared back at her almost menacingly. Laura remembered the last time she’d opened her eyes to be hit with a horrible realization… and all of a sudden, she remembered the dark energy from before. She focused on her stomach, waiting for it to come back. Eventually it did. This time, the swirling blackness had no center. It was disjointed and graying and weak. She caressed it with her finger tips waiting for the steady thrum of the tiny heart. She felt nothing. Laura buried her face in her hands and started crying. To have a life growing inside her, to know that it was no longer living… it was going to be impossible for her to forget.
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 15:16:54 GMT -5
****
“Markus, something’s burning.” Firelight said, sniffing the air. He sat up, opening his eyes. “Wha…?” Markus asked, blinking at her. “Smoke. I smell smoke.” “You do?” “Uh huh.” Firelight said. She ran to the window. When she looked out she gasped. “The whole castle is burning. We’ve got to get out of here!” “It never ends.” Markus said, having to force his usual lightness. He pushed to his feet, walking quickly over to where Saria was sleeping and gently shaking her shoulder. “Saria, wake up. I need you to scream.” Markus said. Saria jumped up and the prince covered his ears. A glass shattering shriek followed less than a second later and everyone was up and talking at once. “The castle is on fire, we have to go.” Markus explained hurriedly. Then he rushed into Laura’s room. “What’s going on?” Laura asked. Her face was dry, but it was obvious that she had been crying. Markus tried desperately to ignore the stab of pain that caused him, and kept his voice calm: “The castle caught fire; I’m going to carry you out of here.” “I can walk!” “No, honey, you can’t. Blade’s spell was supposed to wear off tonight.” Markus told her softly. She didn’t answer, turning and staring into nothing. It had been four days since the miscarriage, and they both didn’t want to admit that she was retreating into herself more and more as time passed. He picked up her bow and her sword and put one over his shoulder and the other on his belt. Then Markus bent and carefully picked her up, carrying her from the room as fast as he could. “Let’s go.” Markus said, and they all started for the stairs. After that, they all spilt up in different directions.
****
Markus found himself with just Laura and Raythor. None of them spoke, but Markus could tell that the pain was already setting in as Blade’s spell on Laura released. She kept wincing and holding tighter to his neck. “Markus, I hear footsteps.” Raythor called back, he was slightly ahead. “Oh damn… soldiers, and I’ll just bet they’re Lydrion’s.” “How many?” Markus asked, wondering if Raythor could take them all. “Six.” “Damn it.” Markus said under his breath, almost hearing his father yelling at him in his head. He set Laura down as gently as possible, giving her back her bow. “If anything happens to me or to Raythor, try to defend yourself. Please, Laura.” Markus begged, handing over her sword as well.
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 15:17:15 GMT -5
“I killed our baby.” She answered shortly. He kissed her impulsively, gripped with the overwhelming feeling that he would not see her again, before he turned back to help Raythor, who was already fighting. “About time,” Raythor said, “six is pushing it.” “You’re the Karian Killer,” Markus retorted, dodging one sword and blocking another, “deal with it.” To Markus’s surprise, they weren’t at a huge disadvantage. Raythor’s haphazard, random style kept the regimented soldiers confused long enough for Markus to strike. The prince’s half-trained, half-spilt second decision in turn let Raythor dart in and out fairly easily. Shortly, five bodies lay on the floor. “Where’s six?” Raythor asked, breathing heavily. “I don’t know. Maybe he ran away.” Markus said doubtfully. “Behind you!” Laura’s voice said with cold evenness. Both boys turned to see the sixth soldier fall with an arrow through his neck. Laura held her bow very awkwardly and she dropped it to the floor almost immediately afterward. “That hurt.” Laura said, sounding much more like herself. Markus smiled weakly. “Come on, I can walk. Let’s go. The pain is all gone.” Laura said. Markus glanced helplessly at Raythor who shrugged. Markus went to her side and they all started moving again.
****
“Oh boy, we’re in trouble.” Rose said, pressing herself against the wall. “Why?” Anella asked. Ross and Blade caught up with the two girls, both out of breath. “There’s a company of about fifteen soldiers coming straight at us.” Rose said. “I’ll get a shield up. Maybe it will hold long enough for,” Blade started, looking back and checking for bows, “Ross to kill them all.” “Great, you’re an archer.” Rose said mockingly. “I can’t fight and Ross is a stupid archer. “That’s all I ever learned.” Ross said with some hostility. “Can we not do this now?” Blade said, with strange politeness. Anella blocked the first of the oncoming hits, but by the time the other three could react she’d already been pushed to the floor. Blade flitted over her head and cast as spell as quickly as possible. The whole room went pitch black. When light was restored, all fifteen of the soldiers lay on the ground bleeding. “What the heck was that?” Rose asked. “A protection spell.” Blade said tiredly. “You have to be protecting someone to use it.” Anella got back on her feet, looking slightly frustrated. Ross rushed past the bodies and to the end of the hall, trying to force the door open so they could all get outside. The part of the castle they were in had no roof and they were all freezing, despite the fire. “It won’t open.” Ross said with severe irritation. The others joined him and all pushed at once. “It’s no use.” Blade said. “We’re going to have to run into it.”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 15:17:35 GMT -5
“All right…” Rose said, backing up. “One, two, three…” They all ran into the door and burst into the cold night air, all four of them getting burned slightly in the process. “That was the most incredible thing I’ve seen all day!” Kaslon said, throwing his hands up in the air when he saw them. “Do it again!” “Not on your life.” Rose said, getting up and brushing off her skirt. Anella, blushing, followed suit. Blade and Ross got up as well. “That was marvelous!” Saria agreed, throwing her hands up too. “Yeah,” Kaslon said. “Yeah,” Saria agreed. Then they spontaneously started kissing. “What is wrong with you people?” Rose demanded. “Oh…my…” Anella said, partially shielding her eyes with one hand. “This has been one of those days.” Ross said. “I don’t know. They’re sort of made for each other.” Blade said blankly. He laughed, and Anella did too, though she didn’t know why. They were sort of made for each other.
****
“Prince Roland, come on.” Lila pulled on his arm, the sweat dripping down her forehead and her dark hair clinging to her face. The auburn haired boy seemed reluctant to move, and everyone was far ahead of them. Lila tugged on his arm again, and he looked at her with mournful eyes. “Just… leave me here.” Roland said. “I think… its better that way. There’s no point in…” “I may be a peasant and you may be a prince,” Lila said, “but in this situation, what I say goes and you’re going to move your butt. So come on. And I’m not calling you prince anymore, either, so you’d better get used to it.” She forced him to his feet, pretending she wasn’t afraid of him and pulled him down the hall. The headed for the stairs and Lila took them two at a time, so that they were almost flying down them. Their feet hit the ground with a thud, and Lila started pulling him again. Before long, they reached a door but it was burning. Lila thought for a moment. They might not be able to find another exit, and it wasn’t too… Lila let go of Roland’s arm and pushed through the rotting door, crying out as her hands got burned. She went back for Roland anyway, shoving out into the night air. She stepped outside, panting, and collapsed, her lungs overfilled with smoke. The last thing she heard before she passed out was Roland falling next to her.
Chapter Twenty Three Almost Kiss
“Lila.” Markus’s voice came through the haze, and her lungs burned for a moment. She opened her eyes and looked at him. “What happened?” Lila asked, sitting up. “You just inhaled too much smoke. You’re going to be fine.” Markus said. He seemed distracted and he kept looking over his shoulder.
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 15:17:55 GMT -5
“What is it?” “Just Laura… Raythor and Anella are with her, I shouldn’t worry… Are you all right?” “I’m fine.” Lila said. She hugged her knees. “How is Roland?” “He’s still under, but Dasher says there’s nothing to be concerned about.” Markus said, forcing a smile. “She couldn’t fix your hands, but I wrapped them for you.” “You did?” “Uh huh.” He made a vague wrapping motion with his hands and she laughed. Something white flashed on his wrist, and he carelessly stuffed it beneath the leather guard on his arm. “What is that?” Lila asked. “Are you hurt?” Her hands hovered over his arm. “This is old, don’t worry.” “Are you taking care of it?” She twisted to pull something out of her satchel and took hold of his wrist, pushing back the guard and undoing the bandages. She rubbed something cold into the frayed skin quickly, and then moved on the other one. Markus stared at her with disbelief. “You’re a healer?” “Amateur. Like Laura. She’s much better than I am.” “Thank you.” Markus said. She hugged her knees again. “Markus, Laura wants you.” Raythor said. The prince nodded and pushed to his feet. “Would you stay with Lila?” “Sure.” “Who are you?” Lila asked nervously. Raythor took one look at her and knew she was Calthan. He didn’t want to scare her worse than he had to. “Uh… my name is Cade. Cade… Nightheart.” Raythor said, trying to give her a normal smile. “Really?” “I’m Calthan too. Would I lie?” “Yes.” Lila said, but she seemed a little less tense. Raythor dropped down to the balls of his feet and met her eyes, automatically memorizing her physical features in an instant. He could see the fear in her dark irises, and he knew it wasn’t just from everything that had happened. “Are you afraid of me?” Raythor asked. Lila glanced down at her lap and nodded. “Just because you’re…” “Ray-” Anella’s voice came behind him. He stood up so suddenly that she cut off. Lila watched curiously as he whispered something in Anella’s ear and they both sat down. “Ray?” Lila asked. “My middle name. She calls me that because she’s my…” Raythor looked at her, realizing he’d just given himself the same last name. “Cade is my brother, right Cade?” Anella patted his shoulder, laughing at the look on his face. “You treat your brother like this?” Raythor asked. Anella blushed crimson. “Of course not!” “This is Anella Nightheart.” He said shaking his head. “Hello…” Lila said, giving them both odd looks. “Weren’t you two… engaged?”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 15:18:18 GMT -5
“Yeah… I’m not her brother, I’m her fiancée.” He sighed. “My name is Raythor Karian… I’m the-” “Oh my god!” Lila said, literally backing up a few feet. “She’s going to get hurt, she’s just like Elizabeth, you’re a monster! Markus! Markus!” “I told you.” Raythor said and Anella frowned. “People did that to you all the time?” She asked. “Variations of that… should I even bother telling her? There’s no way she’s going to believe me, she’s pretty darn pure blooded. They probably told her that story three times a day.” “I’ll talk to her.” Anella said. She walked over to Lila and knelt so that she could be at her level. “He’s not going to hurt you.” “Yes he is.” Lila said, her eyes wild with terror. “He shouldn’t hit you, he shouldn’t, but he’s one of the bad ones…” “Raythor doesn’t hit me.” Anella said with surprise. She hadn’t expected that at all. “Elizabeth said that too, but I know the truth… I know it. He’ll kill you one day. Or you’ll kill him. You won’t mean to, but you will. You have to protect yourself.” “He isn’t going to hurt me. Or you either. Raythor is innocent, he-” “I feel so sorry for you.” Lila said, her whole face changing to a look of pity. “Gervase is just the same way. He lied to her all the time, and she believed it because she loved him so much. Who’s word do you have that he’s innocent, his?” “His sister told him she killed them.” “Did anyone hear her say that?” “No, but-” “Don’t let him lie to you.” Lila said quite seriously, looking her straight in the eyes. Raythor rose to his feet and Lila tensed up again. He grimaced. “Lila… I know you have no reason to believe me and neither does Anella but… I’m afraid of hurting her. I have nightmares about it.” Raythor said. Lila kept staring at him. He pulled out a dagger and held it out to her. “What is that?” “So you can defend yourself if I snap, obviously. What did you think it was for?” “You’re giving me a weapon? To kill you with?” “Yeah. Trust me.” He said, like it was perfectly normal. Lila still couldn’t stop staring, but she took the dagger and shook his hand. “I trust you.” Lila said. Raythor grinned. “She thinks you hit me.” Anella said. His mouth fell open slightly. “What? Do you have bruises?” Raythor asked. He glanced at her sleeve. “Are you all right? What happened?” “I’m fine.” She assured him. She got up and put her arms around his neck. “I love you…” “Why?” “If you say that one more time, I’m going to hit you.” Anella said. “I bet you hit like a girl.” Raythor told her. “I am a girl.” “Rose, on the other hand…”
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 15:18:41 GMT -5
“Raythor!” Anella said, and then they both remembered Lila was there. Anella straightened and her cheeks colored slightly. Lila smiled at both of them, her eyes still filled with fear. “I trust you.” She repeated.
****
“Thank goodness everyone’s all right.” Laura said. Markus was still hovering by her worriedly and she kept glancing at his face. “Thank goodness we get to spend the night in an abandoned shed.” Rose said with mock cheerfulness. Laura didn’t seem to notice. “Leave her alone,” Markus snapped. Rose looked startled and his expression softened. “Sorry Rose… sorry…” “Why do we bother?” Roland asked miserably. “We’re just in a sea of peasants who want all of us dead. Especially me, they’ll probably remove my entrails and burn them while I’m still alive.” “I don’t know about all of you, but I missed him.” Theo said, and only Firelight laughed. “It’s true.” Roland insisted. “They will.” “We will,” Raythor and Kylara agreed, unconscious of their coordination. Markus just half listened to it all. Laura was leaning against him, with her eyes closed, already almost asleep. He wondered how long her up and down guilt-trip based mood swings were going to last. He was sure that whenever they stopped, he would be fine too. He couldn’t feel like this forever.
****
“None of them died?” Kenetari said, slamming down her fist in irritation. “No, milady, they sustained only very minor injuries.” Ghost said mildly. “Did you learn anything useful?” Lydrion asked, sitting Ava on his lap. “Elaura Everglade miscarried,” Ghost started, “and Raythor Karian and Anella Nightheart are engaged.” “He really does care for her.” Kenetari mused, her lips curling in a smile. “Allow me to take Laura.” Lydrion said. “The two of us have a bit of history.” “I adore it when you torment people,” She said affectionately. “I suppose the new couple is all mine, then.”
****
Markus woke up glowing blue again, this time on his own. He couldn’t remember his dream at all. So much for the better, he had the vague recollection that it made him nauseous. Laura was still asleep, her head resting on his shoulder, and she was faintly glowing as well. Markus gently stroked her hair, wishing so badly that she’d never gotten hurt. It wasn’t fair; she was so terribly sweet… “Are you awake too?” Raythor asked blankly. “Unfortunately,” Markus said lightly.
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 15:19:24 GMT -5
“My sister never gives up.” “No kidding. It’s just one thing after another.” “I bet she had something to do with Karen conveniently being in Rivne just as we passed through it.” Raythor said shaking his head. “This whole thing is entirely my fault.” “It’s just as much mine; I’m the one who led us into Rivne.” “All the same…” They both looked at Laura. “Hey, Raythor?” Markus asked, feeling a little silly to even be asking it. “What?” “Did you and Laura ever have any kind of…?” “Us? No way. She’s never had eyes for anyone but you.” “And you for Anella.” “Was it that obvious?” Raythor said, frowning slightly. “I didn’t even know I was in l… for a long time…” “No, it’s just one of those things that seem obvious when you look back at it later.” Markus assured him. “Like Laura being head over heels for you?” “Exactly like that.” Markus said, grinning slightly. “Well, what about you and Anella? You two spent a lot of time together for awhile there.” “Well…actually… she almost kissed me once. Under the moonlight, though.” “Yes, but she must have felt something for you. It only heightened emotions.” “I’m sure it was only a physical attraction. We can ask her right…” Markus trailed off. “Where is Anella anyway?” “She was right over there.” Raythor said, turning a little pale. “We’ve got to find her.” He got up immediately. “What do I do with Laura?” Markus asked. “Lean her on Roland, he won’t notice.” “All right…” Markus said doubtfully. “Let’s just hope neither of them wakes up before we get back.”
****
Anella wasn’t quite sure why she’d wandered so far from everyone else. She was just so sick of having other people save her all the time. It didn’t seem to matter how much she trained or how hard she tried, she was always on the ground with someone else saving her. It bothered her that most of the time it was Raythor. As much as she secretly loved it when he was protecting her, she wanted to be good enough for him. He was so brave… Anella wanted to be brave so badly. “Raythor?” “God, Anella, I’m sorry… I just feel really terrible…” He said, covering his face with his hands. Anella hugged him tightly. “It’s going to be all right… I’m here for you.” She told him. His arms went around her waist, but much more awkwardly than usual and she couldn’t help but think that was a little strange. “I’m always going to be here for you…” Raythor’s whole body was tense and he was staring over her shoulder blankly. Anella shifted.
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Post by Markus Everglade on Jun 19, 2009 15:19:44 GMT -5
“Silver.” “What?” Raythor said. She let him go and backed up a few steps, drawing her sword. He sighed, drawing his sword too. “Damn it, how did you know?” “I guessed.” Anella said, watching him warily. “Were you going to stab me in the back?” “I was going to kiss you and then stab you in the back.” Raythor said impassively. “So much for that plan.” The sword slashed at her quickly, and she moved out of the way. It only took her a few seconds to realize that he was mimicking Raythor’s style perfectly. Raythor… how could she beat Raythor… She waited until the randomness of his movements left him exposed and then cut a deep gash in his stomach. He drew back in surprise, covering the wound with his hand, and disappeared in a flash of light. “Sixteen.” Anella said instantly, as Ross appeared out of the darkness. “Yellow… why is your sword covered in blood?” Ross said, raising an eyebrow. “There was an elementist pretending to be Raythor.” “And you won? Seriously?” “I know how he fights.” Anella said. She exhaled heavily. “Oh my god…” “Are you all right?” Ross asked, putting his arm around her. “I’m going to be fine… it was just a little jarring.” She said, nodding her head a few times. “What are you doing out here?” “I don’t know. Maybe you people’s hatred of sleep is finally rubbing off on me.” “It…it must be.” “Anella…” Ross said. “I guess I’m just going to get to the point. I hate Karian and I have absolutely no idea what you see in him. The truth is, Anella, I-” “Anella!” Markus and Raythor ran up calling. Ross and Raythor immediately started glaring at each other, and Anella’s cousin didn’t remove his arm from her shoulder. “Uh…blue.” Markus said quickly. “A.” Anella said. “Rose passed too. “R.” Raythor said carelessly, not looking at either of them. “They’re going to kill each other.” Markus observed. “Oh, let them.” Anella said. She carefully pushed off Ross’s arm. “What happened? There’s blood-” “Elementist.” “Who was it?” “Raythor. He caught me off guard… I almost…” Anella’s voice shook slightly. She felt a hand on her shoulder again, and she reached back to push it off before she realized it was Raythor’s. She glanced back at him, trembling. He stood behind her and held her in his arms, lips next to her ear. Ross stalked off angrily and Markus followed. But Raythor… Raythor was still here… “How often do I get to comfort you, huh?” Raythor said softly. “I finally get to be here when you need me.” Anella knew she was crying and she didn’t want to be. She was supposed to be the one making him feel better and waiting… waiting for him to come home…. “Raythor…” She turned around and hugged him, crying gently against his shoulder. She didn’t have to be strong all the time, or take care of him continuously. Anella had him here now and she knew that she needed him just as much as she loved
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