Snippets

Chapter 7

Dedicated to my dear friend Emilia Glasse who is ever persistently patient (bless her soul) with my chaotic life! And even more chaotic posting habits.

To you, my dear readers, I say that Argentina has thus far been an adventure of english-less-ness (mas o menos xP) and I must say, the english that has remained has yet to reach its previous par :) Let me know what you think!

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Chapter 7

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Mindless.

Her knuckles whitened in their grip on the balcony railing overlooking the city. Her face grim, she watched them.

And she remembered who they once were...

A disturbance behind her jerked her from her thoughts and she whirled to face the source. A man—only just, as the few premature bits of fluffy facial hair peeking out on his chin giving him away as barely more than a boy—stood in front of the door to her quarters, holding a scrap of paper in his hands. His eyes met hers, and as she walked toward him she noticed a turmoil of emotion in his eyes, hastily covered by the usual calm look he wore.

"Regon," she stated quietly, her gaze glancing anxiously to the paper held in his hands.

"First," he landed a knee on the floor in recognition of her esteemed title before bouncing back up again, "I—" he began, but was cut off by her calm voice.

"You're early, Regon. I hadn't expected you back for another week at least?" her tone lilted as she finished, questioning the reasoning behind his sudden arrival.

"Yes, m'lady," Regon grinned brusquely, "Unfortunately it is not to bring you the happy pleasure of knowing she is safe, though she is as safe as one can be under Logis' hand. Do not worry, nothing has happened to her. But through our chain of information I have uncovered something far more worrisome, and felt the need to deliver it in person."

The First simply stared at him. "What do you mean?" she quipped, "What can possibly more important than her safety? She is our only chance, Regon!"

Regon quickly regretted his phrasing, and hastily corrected himself, "Yes, yes, absolutely correct, m'lady! That is why I came; we just discovered that her Haughty Highnessness, Mistress Kryzamepatri has discovered her true identity," he stopped briefly to evaluate the expression on the Firsts' face before charging on, "Now that's not to say she knows her true name. We are certain she is still puzzled over that. But if she is in any way at all connected with Kiza again, it will be the end of us all."

The First leaned heavily on the railing behind her, as if the weight of the world suddenly rode her shoulders. Which, it did. Her world, anyway.

A heavy silence passed between the two as the full realization of this implication hit home. Then, "That does indeed complicate things," her voice contained the calm steel of a leader accustomed to difficult situations.

Regon nodded, handing her the paper, "Here are her whereabouts as of now, and Kryzamepatri's as well. They are still far apart, but with the power of your Stone, Kryzamepatri can teleport between cities very quickly using her chain of bars and clubs. We have also become quite certain that Logis also shares some part of this power, due to his ability to disappear and reappear miles away, much faster than any human can walk."

"Unless, of course, he's using them," the First added thoughtfully.

Regon shifted uncomfortably. "Yes," he replied slowly, "Unless that."

"Well," the First continued, "His ability to move so quickly is of little importance at this time. The truth is he can, and we have to be prepared for it. How far do you think he could travel with another person?"

"That we haven't figured out yet. He never appears to have used whatever he uses when he's escorting his prisoners."

"Hmm..." she mused quietly, "It could still be either, the Stone is as disturbing to use as they are." She turned and looked back out over the island of Saunderval, her thoughts racing.

If they know who she is... Then I'll have to sacrifice myself.

A breeze casually rolled past her face, and she daintily sniffed it. A frown developed as the stench of decay filtered into her sinuses. Living here for the last several years had accustomed her to the smell, but it would never be pleasant. A strand of silver hair danced free of the pins confining it to the tidy bun on the back of her head and she pushed it behind her ear, the frown deepening.

I am dying. She admitted to herself. With every new occupant in Saunderval, my hair grows whiter, my body weaker. There's nothing left for it. The best option is to sacrifice myself. At least then the Gem will get to its rightful owner and perhaps... Perhaps she will still be able to save them.

The First turned back to Regon, her lips pressed into a determined line, "I think it's about time I let her Haughty Highnessness in on why she never found Belarme until my beloved Troy, may he rest in peace, so lovingly left my Stone in what was once the outside world. Regon, I will be expecting your company. Prepare for a long, fast journey."

She began to turn away but Regon's stuttering gave her pause, "B-b-but m'lady!! Y-you can't p-possibly think it will work? We have yet to find her true name!"

"Well," the First replied sincerely, turning toward him and allowing a devious smile to curve her lips upward, "Then there's no time like the present!"

Something about the dangerous way her eyes glinted made Regon swallow nervously, "Uh-o-of course, m'lady... no time like the present." He turned for the door as she motioned him away, mind abuzz. Certainly, she was out of her mind this time. He'd have to find someone to talk some sense into her and—"Oh and Regon?" his thoughts were interrupted as she peeked around the doorframe at his retreating form, "Keep this between us, will you?" she smiled innocently, eyes dancing in a way that betrayed her age and the duty that rode her shoulders.

He swallowed again, so much for talking some sense into her— "O-of course, m'lady. Between us."

The First chuckled softly to herself as she watched his back disappear down the set of stairs at the end of the hallway. It humored her, the way he started to repeat her words when he was unsure of a situation.

Certainly, he had every reason to be unsure of this one.

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Duhn duhn duhnnn!!! Who are these new people and what on EARTH do they have to do with our dear Shaf? Well... only one way to find out! *pokes star button thingy* HAH! Maybe that'll do the trick XD hahaha, or maybe not. But IF it's deserving, it's a nice thing to see :) but not as nice as your guys' thoughts!! DIME (this is spanish for "tell me")!!! And I promise to be writing, if slowly... #slugstyle