Unknown L (Book 1)

~~~ Story Time ~~~

They followed the path and soon came to a long, one floor building. It looked like a row of bungalows all joined together, and L glanced at Robbie.

"Think this is it?"

Robbie pursed his lips, "I dunno, maybe... shouldn't it have a sign or something?"

L smiled and shook her head. She listened closer, but she couldn't hear a thing inside, not even breathing or movement.

She furrowed her brow, "That's weird, I can't hear anything inside, it's like there's nothing at all in there... not even bugs."

"That probably means it's the right place then. They've protected it so nobody can hear anything inside, no meetings can be listened in on, no spying." L glanced to him questioningly, and he chuckled. "I've watched a lot of spy films. I know things."

L laughed with him, but she agreed that it made sense and she led the way up to the front doors. These didn't appear to be big enough for Gart or Lort to get inside, and that bothered her a lot. She liked this base a little less with every new thing she learned about it. She opened the doors and led the way in, only to be met by an angry looking Dwarf. He was holding an axe, and his face was almost as red as his hair.

"Who are you and what do you want?! We're busy, come back later. Everybody and their father thinking they can come in whenever they like. There are regulations to follow!"

L looked up at Robbie in shock and tried not to laugh at his bewildered expression. She turned back to the Dwarf.

"I'm here to see Vadim. My name is L, and he should be expecting me."

The Dwarf took a few seconds to realise what she'd said. He lowered his axe and backed away.

"Sorry about that, it's been havoc in here. Vadim is down the corridor to the right, meeting room five, but he didn't say anything about there being two of you."

L shrugged, "Well, he's with me, and either he comes in or I don't go at all. Vadim won't mind, though I'm sure."

The Dwarf considered it for a moment and stepped aside with a shrug.

"Sure, no point being a guardian when nobody listens and just bypasses you. Go wherever you like, with whoever you like."

L walked past him quickly and scrunched her face against the urge to not laugh with Robbie. L didn't think she could have found someone grumpier than Folen and wondered if they might know each other.

The corridors they walked down were a minefield of images. They were lined with portraits of various creatures, species, and people. Robbie was fascinated, but L tried not to look, Keeper knowledge was trying to push through at every opportunity. Thankfully, it didn't take long to reach meeting room five. Lucky for them, all the doors were labelled, and L knocked when she reached it.

After a quick pause, Vadim's familiar voice shouted, "Come in!"

L walked in first and felt her jaw drop. The meeting hall they entered into was identical to the Council room back in the first base. It had the same decorations, wall colours and no roof so it was open to the forest above, however it was who was present in the hall with Vadim that really shocked her.

Maeve was there with what was left of the Council members. She looked a bit dishevelled but otherwise fine. She smiled over at L, and seconds later, she walked over to give her a brief hug. L hugged her back without hesitation. She hadn't realised how much she'd missed Maeve until that moment. 

"When did you get here?! I kept asking if anyone else had returned, but Walter said no."

L glared over at Walter, who had come closer. He was smirking widely, his fangs just showing.