Dassy's Playground

Gold Panning

2011-03-10T16:08:00.002-05:00

Ever seen things on T.V. where people pan for gold and actually find some? I always thought it was always in California where the gold was. But it turns out, gold can be anywhere! I was looking up gold panning on YouTube once and found that there were several places where gold could be found. I live in Georgia, so I checked and found out there were places close by, like Dalonega, Villa Rica (which is called literally the City of Gold), and Buchanan. I pan, but alot of people use different methods, like dredging or sluicing, but it all goes back to the pan. I have seen people get nuggets from these places. Nuggets! For the basics, you need a gold pan, a sieve, a handheld and/or large shovel, a snuff bottle, tweezers, a bottle or glass jar to put the gold in, gloves, and, if you like, a metal detector, but not a magnet. Magnets only pick up cobalt, iron, and nickel. I use chest weighters to get to spots, but you can use waterproof boots if you wish. Always look for black sand, which may line the edges of a bank, quartz, which is where most gold can be found, and , for me, gray clay. You will have to mush all the clay and shake it through the sieve before panning it out. It is worth it, trust me. And you might be able to use some of the quartz rocks for jewelry, though you may want to put it through a rock tumbler first to clean and smooth out any sharp edges. Quartz is natural glass and might cut if it has any sharp edges. A friend and I have done this before (hence the gloves). Rock tumblers can be found anywhere from Wal-Mart to Hobby Lobby. Be on the lookout for any snakes if you go out on hot days. You will also see a TON of wildlife. I have seen snakes, turtles (box and snapping), crawfish (crawdads), fish, kingfishers, salamanders, once a deer leaped into the creek right infront of me! It was an amazing sight. Be careful of any insects you may find underwater, they may bite (my friend found that out too). Be sure to wear a hat, for you can get a sunburn or ticks. As long as you are careful, there is nothing to worry about. ^_^ If you have any questions on comments, just write them below and I will check them out soon.

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2011-01-20T17:08:00.000-05:00

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Writers and Depression.

2010-11-30T16:38:00.000-05:00

Is depression really the curse of genius? Research shows that writers and other creatives do suffer from depression at a higher rate than the rest of the population. And they, along with others born with creative gifts have a much higher rate of suicide.
Writing is not the glamorous profession it may appear to be. Rejection, deadlines, self-doubt and many hours spent in isolation can eventually push you over the edge. Plus lack of exercise and being stuck indoors staring at a computer screen all day doesn’t help either. Success as a writer also means you have to rely on the opinions of other people such as editors, publishers and agents, which makes things even worse.
I’m not claiming to be a genius but I am a creative person and a depressive. My depression affects my creativity. Sometimes it is good for it, sometimes it’s bad. Normally, when everything gets dark and gloomy for me I tend to go into myself and I begin to question everything. I can’t deny that I’ve always seen the world differently, that I tend to see all the negatives about it rather than the positives. Sometimes I am aware that I may be too pessimistic and when I’m accused of this I always say that I’m only being realistic. I know that when I’m in this state of mind people don’t want to be around me, but that’s fine because I don’t want to be around people. Pessimistic thoughts can ruin my writing though. Especially if I am doubting my talent as a writer, which is often.
During this time dark thoughts enter my head and I ask myself just what is the point of writing as I won’t get published. Anyway, who would want to publish such rubbish? Me a writer? Ha! I’m just a talentless depressed person living in a world of make believe because I can’t face the real world. I might as well end it right now. And the thoughts torment me all day, adding to the feeling of hopelessness, the future looking bleak.
But I don’t give up. I don’t kill myself, even if the thought does cross my mind. This is because I know from experience that this dark period won’t last. In a few days my writing will start getting good again. The dark cloud will lift and I will think differently. I will start to believe in myself again. Of course I can write. Of course I can get published. If others can get book deals so can I. After all, there are worse writers in the world than me and they’re published and successful.
And when I do eventually emerge from the pit of depression, to my surprise, I am struck by a short burst of creative energy that lasts from around three days to a whole week. Sometimes I’ll have two or three projects on the go because the ideas just keep flooding in and I can’t stop them. This is a great feeling and I can’t wait to get out of bed and put in those extra hours of writing. It’s not that my depression has worn off, it just gets a little more manageable. I still feel sadness, but it’s not as intense.
Sometimes though I don’t wait for this moment to arrive. Instead, I try to write myself through a depressive episode, even though it’s the last thing I feel like doing. If I’m angry it’s even better as I can use this anger in my fiction.
It is said that writers are depressed because they work for long periods alone. But this isn’t my problem because I actually enjoy my own company. I accept that this is part of a writer’s life and if I spent all my time socializing no writing would ever get done. It’s nice to have other writer friends though, so I would recommend joining a writers’ group or participating in one of the many writers’ forums on the Internet.
I do sometimes wonder if being a writer is a curse, but then I think how would I be if I didn’t write? It’s such a large part of me. It’s what makes me who I am as an individual. I’m sure other writers can understand what I mean. I don’t think you choose to write. It chooses you. And I do question what type of writer I’d be without my depression. Who knows? Maybe I wouldn’t be a writer. That’s something I can’t answer I’m afraid.
If you are depressed please don’t suffer in silence. See your doctor for professional medical advice.

Sabotage - Chapter Eleven

2010-06-27T23:32:00.000-04:00

Chapter Eleven

A different, far more elegant room rises and solidifies. 'The throne room!' Mondre` realizes. Everdron stands on the platform on which the throne sits, seeming impatient. His aura glows with outrage when he sees the princes, Ryuu, and two other people appear with the nightshades. "What is this?" he bellows, walking down the steps. He stops infront of the princes. "You are filthy. Where have you been?" he snaps. Mondre` and Skreme wonder how to explain, but they can't think of an excuse. The two bandits squirm in the nightshades' grips. “You are going to regret this!” one shouts. Everdron looks their way and narrows his eyes. They go limp, staring blankly at the walls. Ryuu keeps still, trying not to draw his attention. Everdron faces the nightshades then nods. They gently place the princes down, who get to their feet. A nightshade hands Mondre`'s tunic to him. He takes it and puts it on. "Who are these ingrates?" Everdron growls, nodding once at the limp humans. Before the boys can answer, he turns to Ryuu. "And who is this?" "My name is Ryuu." the boy replies with a shaky, but firm voice. Everdron examines him. He notices the earring. Mondre` and Skreme watch as he stands before the thief. "What is a half breed like you doing around the Daemon High Prince of Veud and the Daemon Prince of Klohmoi? Did you kidnap them? Though I doubt that could be possible.” he says. “Are these humans your comrades?" Mondre` is amazed by what he just heard. Ryuu has the same look on his face. "Ryuu did not kidnap us. We left on our own. They followed us." Mondre` mumbles. "Silence." Everdron orders. "Half breed?" Skreme asks. "High Prince?" Ryuu asks, appalled. "You're princes?" "You are a half demon?" Skreme asks, eyes narrowed. "My mother was human. She died keeping me safe from a Demon raid. Ordered by High King Gothron!" Ryuu yells, struggling against the nightshade's grip. "Put me down!" The nightshade looks to Everdron. He gives a sharp nod. It places the boy down. He jerks away and glares at the princes. "I vowed never to associate with him or any Daemons!" he yells. Tears run down his angry face. "Oh, who cares? This is why we keep your kind as servants. Too emotional to do anything else." Skreme sneers, crossing his arms. Ryuu runs at him, fists clenched. A nightshade stops him by the neck of his shirt. Mondre` punches Skreme in the arm instead. "Ow." he hisses. Mondre` glares then faces Everdron. "He saved us from a squad who patrolled Nardo’s street. They were about to execute us.” Everdron‘s eyes turn to him. "He also helped Skreme when he cut himself on a Catha plant." "Cratje." Ryuu mutters. "Cratje. And from the bandits." Mondre` finishes. Everdron says nothing. "We owe him something." Mondre` says. "I owe it nothing." Skreme says. "We would not be alive if it was not for him." Mondre` says. "He placed us in the situations!" Skreme says, raising his voice. "Quiet!" Everdron orders in his booming voice. The princes become silent, but give each other foul looks. Everdron faces Ryuu. "I am going to release you, half breed. But know this. Do not think I am going to give you anything. Your life is what you should treasure at this moment." he says. "Don't worry. I'm not going to ask for anything from Daemons." Ryuu huffs. He walks past the nightshades to the doors. Everdron watches him leave then turns to the nightshades. They had placed the bandits down on the floor infront of them. "Thank you all, magnificent Nightshades. I will have your payments sent to you." he says, bowing. The nightshades disappear into thin air. Mondre` whirls on Everdron. "Why didn't you reward him?" he asks. Everdron ignores him as he walks by. "As for you two, you will be given baths then you will go straight to bed." he orders, snapping his fingers. Soldiers march in. Some escort the princes out. Mondre` looks back to see Everdron point to the bandits before the door closes. "Take these ingrates to the dungeons." Everdron orders. The soldiers grab the unconscious thieves then travel. Everdron turns to a wall. "Lieutenant." Ivinin steps out. "Yes sir?" he says. "Put more soldiers to the watch." "Yes sir." Ivinin says. He leaves to get more units. Everdron crosses his arms. 'This is worse than I thought. I must inform the High King.' he thinks. He walks out of the throne room when Bersion hurries up. He looks rushed. "Advisor Everdron. Did you hear about the princes?" he asks. "What of Their Majesties?" Everdron asks. "They are missing." Bersion says. "They have been returned and are fine." Everdron says, walking past him. Bersion is puzzled and follows. "What do you mean?" he asks. "I sent the Nightshades to find them. I need to speak to the High King." Everdron says. "His High Majesty is in the Royal study. He does not know yet." Bersion says. "Good." Everdron says. Gothron is sitting behind the desk, reading a thick novel when Everdron walks in. "Your High Majesty." he says. Gothron looks up. "Yes?" he says. Everdron remains silent, putting his thoughts together. "The escort who had been following the princes recently informed me that your son and nephew escaped their sight." Bersion says. Gothron stands quickly, tossing the book onto the desk. "I sent the Nightshades. They found them safe. But they were in the company of a half breed and rogue humans." Everdron says before Bersion says anything else. "What did you do with them?" Gothron asks. "The humans are in the dungeons. I released the half breed. Apparently, it saved the princes from a squad who was going to execute them." Everdron says. Bersion does not seem pleased. Gothron is appalled by the very mention. "Where is Mondre` and Skreme?" he asks. "They are being cleaned in the baths as we speak, Your High Majesty." Everdron replies. "And have you increased the escort?" "Yes, Your High Majesty. It seems as if Their Young Majesties have been doing this for some time." Everdron says. Gothron sighs, gazing at the floor. "What is going on here?" he mumbles, mostly to himself. "I am not sure, Your Highness. But I shall see to it that it stops." Everdron vows. “You may go.” Gothron says. “Yes, High Lord.” both Advisors say. They walk out. Gothron sits back down and rests his head on his hand. He picks up the book he had been reading, which was laying open face down, bending the pages. He closes it and puts it away. He walks out of the study to the stairs, climbing several flights then turns and walks down the corridor. He stops at a door. It was black, with gold wiring down the length of it with thin gold plating as leaves. He opens it. In the bed in the middle of the room, a figure breathes softly, wrapped in a soft gray gown and deep gray covers. Her eyes are closed. Her blonde hair is spread out over the pillow her head lays on. Her right arm is resting on the pillow by her head. Her other arm lays over her stomach. He smiles then it changes to a frown at the thought of waking her. He walks over and sits by her side. He touches her shoulder and rubs his thumb over it. Her dazzling green eyes open at his touch. She smiles at the sight of him. “Hello.” she says. “Hello.” he says. She notices his concerned expression and sits up. "What is wrong?" she asks. He moves his hand from her shoulder to her knee. “Mondre` and Skreme escaped the escort and came to be found outside, but were returned by Nightshades.” he says. “How?” she gasps. “Are they all right?” “They are fine. They are in the baths. They were brought back with human rogues and a half breed, who supposedly saved them.” he says. She looks down at the bed, a frown edging it's way across her lips. “Where is it now?” she asks, looking back at her husband. “It is gone. Everdron released it.” he says. Her frown deepens, darkening her face. “He should have made it rot in the dungeons.” she mumbles. He takes her hands into his. “I only wanted to inform you, my love. We do not need to dwell on it now.” he says. She calms, giving him a smile. "All right." she says. He gets up and walks over onto the other side. He slides off his boots then changes his clothes. He lays beside his wife and holds her close. She wraps her arms around him and falls back to sleep. Mondre` and Skreme lay in their beds. Skreme has his eyes closed. Mondre` stares up at the ceiling. "We need to apologize to Ryuu." he mumbles. "No. He's a half breed. They can't be trusted." Skreme mutters then plants his face into the pillow. "He didn't even try to kill us." "He was about to slice my arm off." "He was only trying to help. We need to tell him sorry." "No, we don't." Skreme says, still in the pillow. “Half breeds are part human. They can't be trusted, just as humans can't be trusted.” “Fine. Never mind then.” Mondre` says nothing more, staring up at the canopy that drapes over his bed. Skreme is soon sprawled over his bed, fast asleep. Mondre` looks over to him then listens. The breathing can still faintly be heard in the walls. The time keeper pendulum sways, ticking out a steady sound. Mondre` forces himself to stay awake by pinching himself on the arm. The breathing finally stops. He quickly climbs out of bed, putting two pillows in his place. He grabs a handkerchief from a dresser draw then stands by his bed, concentrating hard. He travels to a dark vast room. Glowing gold, silver, and white coins sit within vast treasure chests. He crouches and collects enough coins for the kerchief to hold. He ties it up then tries to remember the inside of the tower. He waits, seeing everything shift around him. He feels a breeze blow by when the dark tower room appears. The fallen vials still drip from the attack earlier. He walks to the trapdoor. It was still locked. He unlocks it by sliding the latch back. It is shoved open. He falls back. Ryuu almost falls over himself. "How did you get in?" he snaps, quickly stepping inside. Mondre` gets to his feet. "I traveled here." he replies. "Get out!" Ryuu orders, closing the door behind him. He bolts the lock fast. Yelling and banging occurs below. "I thought the Nightshades killed it." Mondre` says. "Why are you still here?" Ryuu asks angrily, walking up to him. "I wanted to apologize for what happened." he says, standing his ground. Ryuu passes him and starts picking up the bottles. "You have. Leave." he says. Mondre` sighs. He tosses the bundle of money down beside the boy. Ryuu can hear it holds a great deal of money. "What's this for?" he asks. "This is what you should've been awarded with." Mondre` says. He disappears without another word. Ryuu gazes at the spot he had been standing then opens the kerchief. Glistening gold coins shine up at him. 'This....It's so much!' he thinks. Mondre` lays down as the particles collect around him. The particles tickle his nose as they move back out. He holds it until the room appears then sneezes. His covers rise from the wind it creates then float down on top of him. Skreme jumps awake. “What happened?” he asks. “Nothing. Go back to sleep.” Mondre` mumbles, moving his pillows. Skreme yawns then lays down. That morning, after prayers and before the High King or the High Queen wake up, Everdron brings the squad of soldiers from Nardo's street into the throne room. Mondre` and Skreme watch from behind the throne. The squad removes their helmets. One man has maroon eyes. "High Advisor Everdron." he greets, bowing. The others do the same. "What is it that you wish to speak to us about?" Mondre` recognizes the man's voice. "That's them." Skreme says to Mondre`. Mondre` keeps his eyes on what is going on. "I hear you let two boys escape you several days ago." Everdron says. The soldiers bow their heads in shame. "Yes sir. We are deeply sorry." the leader says. "It is a blessing they did escape." Everdron says. The soldiers look up. "Excuse me, sir?" the leader asks, confused. "It is a blessing they did escape before anything happened to them." Everdron says. He gestures to the throne. The princes step out and stand to one side. The soldiers' eyes widen. "Are these the boys?" Everdron asks. The leader can hardly breath as he gazes at the two. "Um..We...I mean..." "For if the Prince of Klohmoi and the High Prince had not escaped, they would have been executed? Is this correct?" Everdron says, lowering his voice. The soldiers don't say anything. They are completely terrified. Skreme smiles at their fearful expressions. Mondre` isn't enjoying it. Another squad walks up and grabs the first. "Take them to the dungeons." Everdron orders. They bow and drag the men out. "No!" "Please, High Advisor!" "We did not know!" the first squad cries. The doors close behind them. "You may return to the study, Your Majesties." Everdron says dismissively. The princes leave the room. "That has been taken care of. Now I just need to somehow mention how dirty the sewers are without making him too angry." Skreme mutters. At the guild, there is a knock on Ryuu's bedroom door. "Ryuu? Are you up yet?" Ashla calls softly. "I'm awake." he says, striding over to a crate. He hears her open the door. "What are you doing?" she asks. He wipes a tear off his face. "I need to leave." he says. She closes the door behind her. "Why?" she asks, walking up to him. He hesitates then shakes his head. "I don't want to talk about it." he says, carrying more clothes to his pack. She grabs his arm. "What is wrong?" she says with a serious tone. He looks away. She steps into his line of sight. "Did something happen last night?" she asks. He frowns, but gives a small nod. "Tell me what happened." she says. He keeps quiet, trying to avoid her eyes. She stares hard at him. "Ryuu." she says. He grimaces. "I....showed Skreme and Mondre`......the tower." he mumbles. She gasps. "You know you should not go there! What if someone caught you?" she hisses. "Someone did." he says, stepping past her. "Oh no. Who?" she asks. "Nightshades." he replies. He stuffs his clothes into the satchel. She is pale with fear. "Nightshades?" she asks shakily. "They were there to retrieve Prince Ream and High Prince Andre`. Or whatever their real names are." he says, punching the clothes in. "What do you mean?" she asks. He stops, holding back more tears. "I brought the High Prince to the Fireskins." he says. "And High Advisor Everdron knows I'm half human." She places a comforting hand on his shoulder. "You do not need to leave because of that. He does not know where we are, does he?" she says. He slowly shakes his head. "But they do." he says bitterly. She frowns then gives him a confident smile. "I do not believe they will tell. I have a feeling they are trustworthy." He snorts. "Ream isn't. But maybe Andre` is." he mutters. "Why do you say that?" she asks. He takes out a bulging ivory silk kerchief. He unties it to reveal glowing gold coins. Her jaw drops in awe and amazement. "Andre` gave me this last night as a reward for saving them." he says. There is a knock on the door. He ties the kerchief up and puts it in the satchel. "Who is it?" she asks. "Jaran." a familiar voice says. "Come in." she says. Jaran steps inside. He sees the siblings standing by the bed then sees the satchel. "What's going on?" he asks. "Nightshades attacked Ryuu and took Andre` and Ream back to the palace." she says. Ryuu feels relieved she said nothing else. Jaran looks nervous, but concerned. "Are you all right?" he asks. "I'm fine. Only a little scared now." Ryuu replies. "I would be too. As long as you weren't hurt." Jaran says. He turns back to the door then stops, turning back. "Do you know what happened to them?" he asks. Ryuu's face turns red with anger. "I think they're fine." he says stiffly. "You're too slow. Parry more." Skreme says to Mondre` as they fence in the huge courtyard. Soldiers stand all around. Mondre` parries his thrusting wooden blade then lunges. He wasn't listening. He was still angry at Skreme for acting the way he had with Ryuu. The plan had just been to tell Ryuu they would never be able to talk to him or visit the Fireskins again. But everything had gone wrong. After last night, Bersion had received a report about the money in the treasury. It was several suns short. He had puzzled over it, but he suspected the intruders, not Mondre`. Everdron stands on the courtyard steps, watching them. Marinae sits under a gazebo, fiddling with a bouquet of flowers. No one told her about what happened. Marques Bradin and Marquises Esther were informed of the intrusion. They decided to stay and help investigate. Skreme blocks Mondre` then slashes at him. Mondre` backs away then thrusts again. Skreme swings his blade on his and snatches it out of his hand. It flies into the air then falls into Skreme's left hand. He points both swords at Mondre`. Several soldiers clap. "Perfect, Prince Skreme." Everdron says, clapping. Mondre` doesn't seem bothered by losing another match. He was letting his cousin win too easily. Skreme knew it. "What is wrong with you?" he asks, tossing Mondre`‘s blade back to him. Mondre` catches it. "There is nothing wrong." he mutters. "Again." Everdron says. Both boys get into their fencing positions. In the dining hall, Gothron, Lithera, Yorroe, Katalin, Marques Bradin, and Marquises Esther are having luncheon together. High Advisor Bersion stands by Gothron’s right. A ring of soldiers stand along the walls. “Could there be a tunnel under the wall?” Katalin asks, cleaning her mouth with a napkin. “Perhaps. But the guards would have seen if anyone was digging.” Gothron says. “Maybe they were unable to be seen.” Yorroe suggests. “You mean they could be strong enough to travel?” Marques Bradin asks then takes a bite of bread. “Assassins are known for their abilities to get in and out. It could be possible we have a true killer on our hands.” Lithera says. “Could the Eastern Kingdom have sent it?” Marquises Esther asks. Marques Bradin shakes his head. “The units would have detected them coming through. Now maybe one of the separate kingdoms might have.” he says. “Unless the Avantras sailed around in the Abyss.” Yorroe points out. “That would take eternity.” Katalin says. “Not if you are determined to do your job. I met a private once who was sending a message to Callinsto city. He would not even stop for a drink.” Yorroe says. “He delivered the message, but he was sick from dehydration.” “Poor soul. What happened to him?” Marquises Esther asks. “He was upgraded to squire.” Yorroe chuckles. The group laughs. Everdron steps in, holding his robes tight about him. “Advisor? Where are the children?” Lithera asks. He looks to her then searches the couples until he gets to Gothron then smiles. It is a cruel smile. “Advisor?” Gothron says, standing up. Yorroe gets up with him. Everdron opens his arms, pulling out a long silver sword with a hilt made into feathered wings. The grip is sea green. He points it at Gothron, who stands still. The weapon begins to drip a liquid. “That is not Everdron.” Yorroe says to the Royals. Everdron raises the weapon then lunges. An explosion occurs from within the palace. Everyone in the courtyard hears it and looks upward. Dust billows out one side. "What was that?" Marinae screams. "Stay here." Everdron orders. He disappears along with several units. Skreme looks to Mondre`. "Did you set anything?" he asks him. Mondre` only shakes his head. Skreme looks up the steps. "It is probably that half breed and his friends. We need to go after them." he says to him. "What is going on?" Marinae asks as she nervously walks toward them, clutching the bouquet. "Nothing, Princess. Come with me, Mondre`." Skreme says, putting down his practice sword. He runs up the courtyard steps, but stops halfway to turn back. Mondre` hadn't moved from his spot, his own sword by his side. "Come on." Skreme says. "Let Everdron handle it." Mondre` says, shoving the sword in the ground. He walks to the gazebo. Marinae stops infront of him. “Are you all right, my Lord?” she asks. “I am fine.” Mondre` mutters, going by. She looks to Skreme, a puzzled expression on her face. "Did something happen?" she asks him. He shrugs, confused as well. He walks down the steps to the gazebo, where Mondre` sits. "If Dad or Uncle Gothron figure out we know them, we're in serious trouble." he says. "I don't care." Mondre` mumbles. "Stop being such a child. Just because you can't return to the guild, doesn't mean I have to get in trouble." Skreme says, standing over him. "What guild?" Marinae asks. He realizes he just blurted it out. He waves a hand. "Stay out of this." he snaps. She puts her hands on her hips. "If you do not tell me what is going on, I am going to tell High Advisor Everdron." she threatens. A bitter expression makes it’s way across Skreme’s face. "Fine. I will after we get this oaf going. Someone will get hurt if we don't." Mondre` narrows his eyes at him. Everdron and the soldiers arrive in the throne room. He scans the area, but feels nothing strange. Another explosion makes him whirl around. 'The dining hall!' They race to the door. Everdron opens it to find a thick smoke cloud in the middle of the room. Something moves out of the corner of his eye. A figure in robes runs to the far end of the table then stops and turns. They gaze at him from under long black hair. They have something long in their hand. They jump through the broken bay windows. He is about to chase after them. A wind kicks up from within the smoke cloud. He raises a hand to block the wind from his face. The soldiers cover their eyes. The wind dies down. Everdron lowers his hand to see the six Royals, Bersion, and several guards standing in the center. "Your Majesties, are you injured?" Everdron asks, stepping up to them. Gothron swiftly faces him. Everdron feels a great pressure wrap around his body, pinning his arms to his sides. It centers around his neck. He can barely breath. "Your High.…Majesty......what....are you...doing?" he gasps. He is pushed up onto the wall. Gothron’s eyes are bright copper with wide green pupils. "How dare you attack us and kill my soldiers!?" he growls. Everdron does not understand at first. He looks to the floor. Eight dried mutilated bodies lay there. He then remembers the intruder's outfit. "Your Highness, it was.....not me." he forces out. "Then who did it?" Yorroe asks sharply. His eyes had become completely yellow, his pupils thin green slits. Katalin holds his arm. Lithera stands by Gothron while Marques Bradin and Marquises Esther stand behind them. "I.....do not.......know." Everdron says. His wind pipe was a thin passageway for air. His vision blurs. Mondre`, Skreme, and Marinae run in. "Dad, no!" Mondre` yells, grabbing his father's arm. Gothron keeps his gaze steady. "It was someone else, uncle. Not Everdron." Skreme says. He had never seen his uncle so angry. It scared him. Gothron glances at them. Everdron remains set against the wall. "It is the truth, High King. We were with the High Advisor the entire time." one soldier who had followed Everdron speaks up. Bersion steps up beside the High King. "High Lord. I doubt it could have been High Advisor Everdron. Have Tauva or Belphabas interrogate him to be sure." he suggests. Gothron's eyes return to their original colors. But his aura remains bright with anger. Everdron is released. He slides down the wall, clasping at his throat as he gulps for air. Gothron straightens his tunic, gazing down at him with no emotion on his face. "Take him to the dungeons. I will speak with him later." he orders. Four guards bow and walk up to Everdron. They help him up then travel. Gothron turns to Bersion. "Find this assailant and catch them immediately!" he orders. "Yes, Your High Majesty." Bersion says. He travels from the room with a unit. “Take these men to Tauva.” Gothron orders. Soldiers pick the bodies up and take them away. "Where were you?" Lithera asks the teenagers. "We were in the courtyard. High Advisor Everdron was with us when the first explosion happened." Mondre` says. Yorroe turns to the rest of the room. Stone bits are scattered about a dent on the floor from the explosion. The dining room table was split in two. "I am staying until this issue is resolved." Gothron says, facing his wife. “I think that would be for the best.” she says. “I would have to agree. This needs to be dealt with.” Yorroe says. "Do you understand?" Gothron says, facing his son, nephew, and the Marques‘ daughter. “Yes sir.” the three say. Gothron sees the fear in their eyes. He places a comforting hand on his son's shoulder. "It will be all right. We will fix this then you can go wherever you want in the palace. But until then, stay close." he says. "Yes sir." Mondre` says. "Go on." Yorroe says. The three teenagers and the escort walk out. "Your High Majesty." a captain says, racing in with a patroller hound. He carries robes over his arm. "What is it?" Gothron asks. "I was able to find these in the courtyard." the captain says, holding up the robes. "Have the hounds found the scent yet?" Gothron says. "Yes, Your High Majesty." the captain says. "Take the clothes to Belphabas then return to the search." Gothron says. "Yes, my High Lord." the captain salutes. He touches the hound's neck then both travel. The soldiers and Everdron appear in the middle of the dungeons. The High Advisor is hanging limp between four of them while the rest carry the dried bodies. A captain with a hound and robes appears at the dungeon entrance. "Lady Tauva!" one calls. Tauva steps out of her room. She sees them with the bodies and Everdron. "What happened?" she asks. "The Daemons were attacked by someone. The intruder killed these soldiers. High Lord Gothron believes it to be High Advisor Everdron. He attacked him." another says. "Something is wrong with his throat. He can not breath." the first soldier says. "This way." Tauva says. They follow her to a cell. She waves a hand as she pushes open the cell door. The mess inside disappears, leaving it clean. The soldiers place Everdron on a bench then walk out. The first soldier faces Tauva. "Someone will be down here to ask him questions. But I know he did not do it." he says. Tauva smiles. "I doubt he did." she says. The guards bow their heads then leave. Tauva turns to the rest of the soldiers. “Place those in my laboratory.” she says. “Yes Ma’am.” they say. They and the captain walk into the room. She turns back to the cell. She can see that Everdron is having a hard time breathing. He leans against the wall, gasping for air. She sits beside him. "Let me see." she says. He lifts his head to show her his neck. She can see that it is broken in certain places. One bone is at an angle that keeps him from breathing or speaking properly. She puts her hand on his neck. Light pink magic flows out to wrap around his throat. His bones pop back into place. He does not wince. She finishes and lowers her hand. "Are you all right?" she asks. He clears his throat. "Yes." he says gruffly. "Good. Now, if you do not mind, can you tell me what happened?" she asks kindly. Mondre` explains to Marinae with the help of Skreme what was going on privately as they stride down a hallway. Marinae is completely shocked by the news. "You met a half breed?" she asks them. "We didn't know he was a half breed. I think Jaran may be one too." Skreme says to them. "Jaran is the leader of the Furskin Guild, correct?" she asks them. "Fireskins Guild." they tell her. "And you believe this person, Debern, could be the intruder?" she asks them. "Yes. There is something about him that is strange. And when that Elite soldier was killed, I felt a strange feeling." Mondre` says to them. "So did I." Skreme tells them. "I did not feel anything today." she informs them. They stop walking. "I didn't feel anything either." Skreme says to them. "Neither did I." Mondre` says to them. "Are you all right, my Lords? Milady?" a guard asks. "Yes, we are fine." Skreme says. They continue walking, puzzling over the situation. Everdron finishes explaining what happened. Tauva does not say anything, gazing at the seat opposite them. Her face is blank. He understands that look. "What is it that you know?" he asks. She looks to him. "It is not me. I think......" She pauses. "You think what?" he asks. "I think.....I heard High Prince Mondre` mention someone's name when he and Prince Skreme came in a few days ago. The High Prince had a burn on his left shoulder." She looks straight into his eyes. "It was from an Avantran touch." she says. He feels cold inside. "Are you sure?" he asks. "I recognized it immediately." she says. He rests his elbows on his knees. "Do you remember the exact day it occurred?" he asks. "It was the day before the Marques and Marquises arrived." she says. 'That was the day I sensed that presence.' he thinks. "What was the name?" he asks. "Debern." she says. “Bloody Unistra.” he mutters. "Do you know him?" she asks. "During the war. I thought he was dead." he hisses. "What do you want me to do?" she asks. "There is nothing we can do right now. The High King needs to calm down before I explain." he says, sitting back. “You should have informed me of this.” “I apologize. I did not inform you because I could not prove it had been there. Their Majesties would have most likely denied it.” she says. "True." he says, looking away, so she decides to change the subject. "Would you like a cuppa tea?" she asks. "Yes, please." he says. She gets up and walks to the cell door. "I am going to have to close the door for a moment." she says. He nods. She closes the door and locks it then goes off to fix him a drink.

Copyright 2008

Sabotage - Chapter Ten

2010-06-20T08:45:00.002-04:00

Chapter Ten

Everdron stands at the steps of the throne. He was worried. The princes could not be found. The escort had been the ones who informed him they were missing. That they had vanished right infront of them. 'How could they have escaped the escort?' he wondered. He made sure Bersion did not find out or he would inform the High King. Everdron did not want the High King to worry yet. A group of lithe shadowy black figures stand on all fours infront of him. Two pinpoints of piercing green light glow from each, seeming to be glowing green stars on a dark night. Sharp black teeth are exposed for all to see. No light reflects off them as they shift and move in the dimly lit room. "Why did you summon us here, General Everdron?" the largest asks in a deep powerful voice, standing on it‘s hind legs. Everdron folds his hands in his sleeves. "Great servers of our Lord Daemon. I summoned you here in dire need. The princes of the High Royal Family are missing. I have scried for them. They appear to be north of here. I fear the intruder who murdered a soldier has once again arrived inside the palace and has taken them. I will pay a great reward for their return." "Why do you not go yourself?" another figure asks. "I must stay here to make sure no one finds out of this. I implore you, great and mighty Nightshades. You are the only ones who can find them." Everdron replies, bowing his head. The shadowed creatures turn to each other and hiss in their own language. The leader faces Everdron. "Very well." it says. "We shall find your charges and return them to you." Everdron looks up, feeling relieved. "It is much appreciated, Daemon's servants. You are our saviors." he replies. The figures disappear. The campfire dies down as the night passes. Skreme has his head resting on his knees. His face is covered by his hair. Mondre` is dozing off while gazing at the fire. 'They probably know we're gone by now.' he thinks. Ryuu seems to still be wide awake. A rustling makes him look behind him then he rises to his feet. "We need to leave." he whispers. “Is something wrong?” Mondre` yawns. “They're closer than I thought.” Ryuu says. Mondre` shakes Skreme by his shoulder. He begins to tip over on his side. He wakes up in an instant and catches himself. "I didn't!" he cries. He blinks and rubs his eyes. "Shhhh! Time to go." Mondre` whispers. Skreme moans and falls back onto the ground. "I don't want to." he whines. "Those people are still around." Mondre` says, getting up. He lowers his part of the protective dome then pulls Skreme to his feet, who releases his aura. Something crashes through the grasses. Mondre` and Skreme go to turn, but the people put blades to their throats. Ryuu goes to grab his dagger. “I wouldn't. Unless you want your friends to die.” one bandit says. Ryuu keeps from moving. Mondre` doesn't sense any aura coming from the bandits. ‘They must be humans.’ he thinks. He looks to Skreme without turning his head. “Ready?” he asks him. “Of course.” he says to him. “Now give us all your money or we'll take it.” another bandit says. “We don't have any money.” Ryuu says. “Yes, you do. Give it to us now!” the other bandit orders. “No! I want to go home!” Mondre` yells. “Silence!” the one who has him says. “Me too! I want to go home now!” Skreme shouts. They stomp their feet. Strands of their aura run from their feet to the bandits’. The bandits stiffen then drop their weapons, collapsing to the ground. Ryuu stands there for a moment then steps forward. “What happened?” he asks. “Just a simple technique. It paralyzes the entire body, but they're still conscious.” Skreme says, kicking one bandit in the side. “Huh?” Ryuu asks. “They're still awake, but can't move.” Skreme says. “Oh.” Ryuu says. He walks over to the bandits. “These two are from the guild.” he says. “Are you sure?” Mondre` asks. “Yeah. I'd know their faces anywhere.” Ryuu says. “We should hurry. The paralysis doesn't last long.” Mondre` says. Ryuu nods and puts the remaining flames out with dirt. The three hurry off to the distant forest. Night sounds make the area seem alive. Eyes reflect light from the many crescent moons and stars. A small pair of yellow eyes follows them. The cousins stay close to Ryuu. He notices them looking at the reflections. "Don't look them in the eyes." he warns. The cousins look straight ahead, keeping their gazes away from the predators. Far off cries make them shiver. Skreme isn't paying attention to where he is going. A vine catches his foot, making him lose his balance. He falls head first into a patch of grass. Mondre` and Ryuu turn when he cries out. They try to help him up, but he gasps and winces. "My arm! It burns!" he hisses. Mondre` notices a Cratje plant broken beside his arm. A little rip is in his sleeve, ringed by black blood. "He's been cut." he says. "I have a salve that can cool the burn. But we have to get to where we're going for the antidote." Ryuu says. He takes out a small jar from his satchel. He takes the top off and dips his fingers into a tan colored cream. He rubs it onto the small cut. "What do you mean, an antidote?" Skreme asks. "The poison doesn't leave the body unless the antidote is given or it stays with you. I have to keep the antidote in a cold place or it'll have no effect. If we don't run, it won't spread as fast." Ryuu explains. He closes the jar and puts it back into the satchel over his shoulder. "But we should hurry or they may catch up." Mondre` says. "You should've mentioned that before." Skreme says. "It was in our herbology books." Mondre` tells him. They help him up. "You actually paid attention?" he asks Mondre`. "A little." Mondre` replies to him. They keep their pace quick as they go down the hidden path. The eyes get closer as time goes by, glaring at them. The grass moves against a breeze. Skreme grumbles and scratches at his arm. "This is so irritating!" he hisses. "It gets worse if you scratch." Ryuu says. Skreme clenches his teeth together and stops scratching, becoming silent. He soon starts up again. They come to a path that leads into the dark forest. Mondre` looks up at the thick branches that seem to be gnarled fingers. “I don't like this place.” he whispers. “Neither do I.” Skreme mutters, rubbing his arm. “Stay close." Ryuu whispers then steps in. "I placed traps along the path so the wild animals won't attack anyone coming through." "If something attacks, we'll stop it." Mondre` says, watching where he steps. "If you like, we can teach you some techniques you can use to stop them." "That would be nice. I hate getting things in my traps all the time." Ryuu replies. "After we get the antidote." Skreme says. "When he gives me the antidote, we leave." he says to Mondre`. "No. He's helping us, so we help him." he tells him. They duck under a low branch. "Remember the plan." Skreme hisses at Mondre`. "I remember it. We can show him some techniques. All right?" he says to him. Skreme sighs and starts scratching his upper arm. "It's burning again." he announces. "We're almost there." Ryuu says. The crunching of leaves underfoot echoes all around. Other than that, the forest is unusually silent. No night birds, no insects, absolutely nothing. Luminous fungus can be seen in the darkness, glowing a multitude of soft colors. Small ones are attached to trees that line the path. Skreme comes to a stop and gazes into the woods. Mondre` bumps into him. "Why'd you stop?" he asks. "There's something over there." Skreme whispers. He stares straight ahead, squinting his eyes. Mondre` focuses his eyes in the direction Skreme faces. Three pairs of turquoise eyes stare back on a long head. The animal sees the boys’ expressions change from concentration to horror. It opens it's beak-like mouth, showing razor sharp points on the edges. "Aaaaaahhhhh!!!" The two run to Ryuu. "What?" he asks. Mondre` stands beside Ryuu, holding a concealed ball of flame behind his back. Skreme keeps behind them. "Something is over there." Mondre` says. He points to where they had been standing. Ryuu bends down and grabs his dagger. They wait, hearing heavy steps. Something comes into view. It looks like an enormous half-plucked bird with spikes along it's back and sharp teeth along it‘s beak. "I thought you said you had traps." Skreme snaps. "It found a way through." Ryuu says. "But that's not the one we saw. There was another." Mondre` says. The bird snarls and runs at them. "We need to leave." Skreme says to Mondre`. "No! We stay and help." Mondre` tells him. Ryuu aims his dagger. Mondre` notices a faint light brown and dark orange aura surround him as he concentrates. He throws his weapon as hard as he can. It hits the bird's beak, wedging into one of it‘s nostrils. The bird squawks and falls back. "Run!" he shouts, pushing the two up the trail. They don't argue. As they run, Mondre` hears in his mind. "Then grab his arm. We'll carry him." He grabs Ryuu's right arm. Skreme grabs his left. "What are you.....waaaaahhh!!!" Ryuu screams as everything quickens. The cousins race up the pathway at high speed. They hear the animal chase after them. It squawks again then scuffling. They slow to a stop. The bird was being attacked by the six eyed thing Mondre` and Skreme had seen. "Laedryn!" Ryuu calls. "Laedryn?" the cousins repeat. The animals fight, clawing at each other‘s faces. The six eyed animal named Laedryn hops back then rams into the bird, knocking it to the ground. The dagger pops out of it's beak when it slides along the dirt path. It gets up, hisses, then runs off into the trees. Laedryn runs after it then stops a few feet. It comes back, striding up to the boys. It is an iridescent lavender with spots of sickly green glowing in the darkness. It's body is thin and lithe. It's eyes have no pupils, just turquoise light. It's ears are long with spikes every inch or so. Hooked claws are on it's large talons. 'It's an Abyssal tarn.' Mondre` realizes. Ryuu runs up to it. The tarn lets him hug it's beak and scratch behind it's long ears. It starts making a deep purring noise. "Good boy, Laedryn." Ryuu says, patting it's shoulder. He sees the cousins standing where they had stopped. "It's all right. Laedryn won't hurt you." he says. They don't look so sure. Ryuu retrieves his dagger then walks up to them with the tarn following like a monstrous dog. "This is Laedryn. I raised him from an egg." he says. "So it's a pet?" Skreme asks, eyeing the animal warily. "I don't put him in a cage like people do with their pets. I let him go anywhere when he wants to. He's very friendly." Ryuu says. "We'll take your word for it." Skreme says. "We can ride him up to where we're going." Ryuu suggests. "I don't believe I will." Skreme says. "I think we'll be safer riding him than walking beside him. And isn't the poison spreading?" Mondre` says. Skreme huffs, scratching at his arm. "I suppose we could. But if it tries to eat me, I'm leaving." he says. "He won't eat you." Ryuu laughs. He climbs up first then holds out a hand. Mondre` takes it and climbs up then Skreme follows. Laedryn shifts at the extra weight then begins trotting up the path. It felt like riding a nightmare. "What was that bird anyway?" Mondre` asks. "Ah, it's a snix. That one's been avoiding my traps lately." Ryuu says. "How many people have come through here?" Skreme asks, scratching his shoulder then winces. "Not many. About twenty-three." Ryuu says. "I'm not surprised." Mondre` hears Skreme say. "By the way, how'd you do that? With the running?" Ryuu asks. "It's a technique we were taught." Mondre` says. "Can you teach me?" Ryuu asks. "I suppose. But we'll have to leave soon after we get the antidote." Mondre` says. "Can you come back?" Ryuu asks. "Perhaps. All we need to do is know where you live and we're able to return any time." Mondre` replies. Skreme rolls his eyes then pauses. He elbows Mondre` in the side. "What?" Mondre` asks. Skreme seems puzzled as he points up ahead. A huge old tower can be seen through the treetops, black against the night sky. Spots where shingles had fallen off are replaced by wooden planks. Ryuu smiles at their curious faces. "Like it?" he asks. "Yeah." Mondre` says. "It's not at all as impressive as the palace. But I suppose it's good enough." Skreme says, scratching his neck. "I think it's spreading." Ryuu leans forward and whispers something into Laedryn's ear. The Tarn bolts toward the tower. Skreme and Mondre` have to hold on tight. They arrive at the front door in a few bounds of Laedryn‘s long gait. Ryuu slides down with ease. Mondre` and Skreme jump down. Ryuu whispers again to Laedryn. The tarn stalks back into the woods. Ryuu takes out a skeleton key from his satchel and places it into a lock below the door handle. He twists it then turns the doorknob. The door opens with a squeak. He grimaces. “We need to be quiet in here.” he whispers. He glances inside then beckons for them to come. They step up onto the stone step then walk inside. They can see it is vast within, with a staircase leading to the top. Several levels jut out, seeming to be rooms cut in half. Candleholders with old melted candles are attached to the walls. "Let's get some light in here." Skreme says, raising a hand. "No!" Ryuu hisses, forcing his arm down. "Why not?" Skreme growls. "We can't have light in here or the Redcap will wake up." Ryuu says in a hushed voice. "Redcap?" Skreme asks. "I thought they lived on the plane of Tir-Na-Nog." Mondre` says. "The High King lets them do what they want here as long as they don't attack any Daemoniacs." Ryuu whispers. "Then we've nothing to worry about." Skreme says. He raises his hand again. "No! I don't want to risk it." Ryuu says, putting his arm down again. Skreme yanks his arm out of his grip. "Are you going to get some light in here?" he asks sharply. "When we come to the top. That's where I stay." Ryuu says. He leads the way past the levels. The stairs creak under their weight. Mondre` can see cobwebs and dust dangling everywhere. He bumps into a few. “Bleh!” he grunts, pulling them off his face. He hears someone below him laugh. Down at the bottom step, a pair of white eyeballs gaze up at him with gray irises surrounding thin round pupils. Terror runs through him. "Go!" Ryuu yells. Everyone dashes up the stairs. The figure runs after them, making a fast 'crik crik crik' as it moves over the stairs. Ryuu comes to the top, which is a complete ceiling. He opens a trap door attached to it and pulls himself up. Skreme leaps up after him. Then Mondre` leaps through the doorway. Ryuu slams the trapdoor and locks it in time. Something runs into it, sending up dust. He falls away from the door. The thing growls then slips back downstairs. "Why do you stay here if it wants to kill you?" Skreme asks angrily, waving the dust out of his face. He coughs a few times then clutches his arm. "My Mom birthed me here. This is my first home." Ryuu says, standing up. He walks to a shelf that holds many kinds of bottles and vials. A cabinet sits on the middle one. "You stay here because of that?" Skreme asks. "Yeah. You would stay in the place where you were born, right?" Ryuu asks. 'That's why? I never thought of it that way.' Mondre` thinks. Ryuu opens the cabinet, which seeps a cold mist. He picks up a jug of liquid then places it down and gestures for Skreme to come over. Mondre` follows Skreme to see what happens, ducking under a cobweb. Skreme kneels down and holds out his arm. The wound had sealed. "I need to open it again." Ryuu says, taking out his dagger. "Oh, no, you don't. I'll do it." Skreme says, snatching the dagger away. He places the blade to where the cut had been, shuts his eyes, and rubs it over his skin. Black blood flows from the injury. Ryuu pours a tiny droplet from the jug onto his finger then places it onto the cut. Skreme feels the burning sensation leave in place of a numbing feeling then it disappears. Ryuu hands him a rag, which is covered in dirt. He instead uses his shirt. When he wipes it away, he flexes his arm. "It actually worked." he says. ‘That's strong alchemy.’ Mondre` thinks. "Say thank you." he says. Skreme rolls his eyes. "Thank you." he mutters, handing the dagger back. "You're welcome." Ryuu says, tucking it back in his boot. He puts the jug back. A powerful presence surrounds the area, making Mondre` go rigged. Skreme jumps to his feet. "Someone's here." he hisses. “Who?” Ryuu asks. Several cries come from below. The three stand stock still, breathing very little. The birds fly out of an opening in the roof. Mondre` listens as the cries die down. A ruckus occurs downstairs. "The bandits!" Ryuu whispers. “I thought they would've learned their lesson the first time.” Skreme says. “The Redcap might stop them.” Ryuu says, creeping to the trapdoor. Pounding moves up the stairs. A black mist seeps through the panels. It's top solidifies into the shape of a spiked skull with glowing piercing green dots for eyes. It bares sharp black teeth at him, who backs away in terror. He darts over to the cousins as more dark figures rise out of the floor. All of their eyes light the whole room in green. The boys back into a shelf. Ryuu slowly reaches behind him with one hand and grabs a vial. A creature darts at them. Skreme shoots a spout of fire at it from his palm. The flames engulf it. It disappears in a smoky puff. "That was simple." he says. Another rushes at them. Mondre` thrusts his hand out and clenches it into a fist. The air collapses in on the figures. They are crushed into clouds of smoke. The three cough and wave it away from their faces. “Are they gone?” Ryuu asks. “Yeah.” Mondre` says. "What were those?" Ryuu asks. "Nightshades." Skreme says. "Nightshades? Here? But they're supposed to serve..." Skreme's ankle is grabbed. He is yanked off his feet and onto his stomach. His breath comes out in a "Hhhhhuuuuu!" Mondre` goes to help him up. But the neck of his tunic is grabbed. He is lifted off the ground. He slides out and runs to Skreme, who dangles upside down. He grabs his arms and pulls. Skreme kicks at the nightshade that holds him. His foot only goes through it. One grabs Mondre` by his legs, making him let go, and lifts him up. Ryuu is fending three off with his arsenal of potions. One catches him from behind. It holds his arms to his sides and picks him up. He kicks, trying to wriggle out of it's grip. The room sinks into the shadows.

Copyright 2007

Sabotage - Chapter Nine

2010-06-13T08:31:00.000-04:00

Chapter Nine

Skreme rushes through the corridor walls. He searches each area he passes before moving into another. He slips through a room, not seeing anything unusual, then runs out of the next wall into a hall. He passes another corridor. His tunic sleeve is grabbed. He swings around from the surprise, but he is still moving and trips over his own feet. He spins then lands hard on his side. Marinae stands over him, hands on her hips. The escort stands behind her. "Where have you been?" she asks. He gets to his feet. "Wherever I want." he says, brushing his clothes off. "Did you get the rat? Where is High Prince Mondre`? What are you running from?" she asks. He walks down the hall, not saying a word. She follows him. The soldiers follow at a short distance. "Answer me. Where are you going?" she asks. "I am looking for the rat. If you want to come....." "No. That is fine. You search for it. But where is High Prince Mondre`?" "I suppose he already found it. Or maybe he found a nest of rats." “Found a…..nest?” He notices her shudder. "I never knew the palace was infested with so much vermin. Why are you going after it? You should have one of the soldiers get it." she says. 'She inquires as much as Everdron.' he thinks then gets an idea. "High Advisor Everdron was the one who set the rats loose. To.....help us train." "He did?" she asks. “Yes.” he says. "Oh. Could he not have released another sort of animal for you to train with instead?" she asks. "No. I need to return to training." he says. He runs down the hall. She huffs at how he dismissed her so easily. Mondre` stops infront of Everdron‘s bedroom. He had followed the figure all the way there. Everdron’s protective aura is still around it. Nothing is at it's base. He looks down the other end of the hall. There is nothing moving down that way. 'If nothing is here, then I will go upstairs.' he thinks. He does the same as Skreme did to open the barrier and opens the door. Someone stands over the desk, looking through papers. He recognizes their clothes. "Debern!" he hisses. Debern jumps. A relieved look comes over him when he sees it is only Mondre`. "Master Andre`. You surprised me." he says, straightening the papers. "There are soldiers everywhere. You and the others have to go now." Mondre` says, stepping the rest of the way in. "I need to find something first." Debern says, returning to the desk. "You must leave now." Mondre` says, making the request an order. Debern faces him, seeming surprised. "All right." he says, putting the papers down. He walks past him to the door. He waves a finger at the shield. It wobbles then moves away for him. He steps through. 'How did he do that?' Mondre` wonders, jaw dropped. "Coming?" Debern asks. "Oh. Yeah." Mondre` steps out after him. Debern releases the aura, letting it return to being a solid wall of light. Mondre` escorts him down the many halls. He remains quiet, gazing at the boy's clothes. They arrive at the invisible room where the siblings were supposed to be. There is no one inside. "Ryuu? Ashla?" Mondre` calls. Ryuu peeks out from behind a piece of old furniture. "Andre`. I thought it was one of those guards. Where's Ream?" he asks. Ashla peeks out beside him. "Jaran went off to search for you." she says, facing Debern. "All right. I will go search for him." he says, turning back to the door. Mondre` stands between him and the door. "I'll search for him. You three stay here." he says. He rushes out. He slowly and quietly closes the door. He finds Ivinin standing behind him and starts. "There you are, Your Highness. Where is Daemon Prince Skreme?" he asks. "He is.....looking for Marinae. I think he may be on the west side." Mondre` says. Ivinin appears doubtful. He looks to the door. A frown crosses his face. "Were you talking to someone in there?" he asks. "No." Mondre` says quickly. "Then what were you doing?" Ivinin asks. "We were....looking for a rat we have seen running the corridors." Mondre` says. "A rat?" Ivinin asks, puzzled. "Yes. But it is not here. So, let us go look for Skreme. Perhaps he found it." Mondre` says. He pushes Ivinin away from the door, waving his hand at the door. It becomes solid wall once again. Skreme isn't having as much luck. He walks with his hands over his ears as Marinae talks. Her eyes wander to the doorways, afraid something will come out of a room. "Is he dead? Oh, I hope not. How many rats are in a rat's nest? Do you think he is hurt? Do you know where it is? We need to save him. How are we going to save him?" she says worriedly. He puts his arms by his sides and whips around to face her. "Then go search for him! Take your escort with you!" he snaps. "I will not." she says, hands on her hips. "Why not?" he asks. "Because you are looking for him too. If you find him, we both find him." she says. "That does not even make sense." Skreme mutters. He continues walking. 'Where is Mondre` anyway!?' he wonders angrily. Marinae hurries to step infront of him. “Why are you just walking? We need to find him. Do you know where he is? He could be on the other side. You should send someone.” she says. Skreme opens his mouth to say something when he sees Jaran walk down a distant corridor. Marinae notices him pause and turns to see Jaran. He does not look like any of the other servants she had seen in the palace. He wears a dirty peasant's outfit with a belt laying over his left shoulder that has daggers sheathed along it. His boots are caked with mud and his hair is unkempt. He strides to the other end of the corridor, disappearing from view. "Who was that?" she asks, staring after him. "One of the servants. I need to speak with him. Wait here." Skreme says. He runs off before she can say something. He turns the corner to find Jaran checking an empty room. "What are you doing here?" he snaps. Jaran swings around, a dagger in his hand. "Oh, it's you. Ryuu and Ashla were worried about you. So, Tino let us in to see if you were all right. Are you wearing silk?" he says, looking him over as he sheathes his dagger. ‘Tino brought them? How could he get them past the barrier?’ Skreme wonders. "You all should leave before the Daemon High King finds out you're here." he says. It felt strange calling his uncle that. "I can't leave unless we find Tino. Or you can take me back." Jaran says. "Prince Skreme! Where are you?" Marinae hollers. She comes around the corner. "Stop talking to servants. Finding the High Prince is more important." she says. The soldiers step up behind her. They get suspicious looks when they see Jaran. Skreme takes a step back. 'This is not good.' he thinks. "Run!" he yells, running the opposite way. Jaran tenses then dashes after him. They race away from Marinae, who is now red in the face. She raises a hand. Bright leaf green aura shoots toward them. "No, Milady!" one of the soldiers shout to her, running at her. Skreme senses it. He slings his own aura at it. It explodes on contact. Jaran loses his balance and hits the floor. Skreme pulls him up and keeps going. Marinae coughs from the green smoke, waving her hand to move it away. She looks up to find the hall empty. "What was that? Who was that? And why did she call you Prince Skreme?" Jaran asks, keeping pace. "I counter-acted her aura. That was a Marques’ daughter who won't shut her mouth. She calls us all sorts of names." Skreme says. He was becoming irritated from all the questions. "She thinks you're a prince?" Jaran asks, laughing. 'How funny.' Skreme thinks. "This way." He grabs Jaran’s sleeve and pulls him to a wall. "Are you mad!?" Jaran cries. He goes to pull away, but Skreme holds on tight. He pulls him right into the wall. They pass through like it isn't even there. Jaran looks back to see the wall gone. The corridor can be seen outside. "How'd you..." "There's no time. We need to hurry." Skreme says. They hurry to the room where Ryuu and Ashla are supposed to be. They have to dodge guards who march by, but they arrive at the spot. Skreme raps on the wall while they stand in the hallway, listening for the sound of hollow wood. Jaran keeps an eye out for any guards. Skreme finds the door then pulls him through. Ryuu and Ashla are hiding behind the old furniture, talking to Debern. They look out when they hear the footsteps. "Why'd you take so long?" Ryuu asks. Jaran chuckles. "Sorry. Prince Ream and I had a little run-in with the Marques’ daughter." Everyone looks to Skreme. "She thought I was the prince. That's all." Skreme says haughtily. "Do you mean a prince or the High Prince?" Ashla asks. "The High Prince's cousin, perhaps." Debern says. Skreme tries to change the subject, agitated by what he said. "Where's Andre`?" he asks. "He went off to look for you." Debern says. "I'll go get Tino. Stay here." Skreme says. "You need not bother. We can leave on our own." Debern says. "I have something to show you tomorrow. Will you and Andre` be able to come to the guild tomorrow night?" Ryuu asks. "Depends." Skreme says. Ashla turns to her brother. "What do you mea....?" Mondre` bursts through the door, closing it fast behind him. He pants hard, leaning against it. He notices everyone in the room. "You need to leave now before the lieutenant comes back. Is Tino here?" he says. "No. He's in the kitchen. I was just telling Prince Ream I have something to show you tomorrow." Ryuu says, patting Skreme on the shoulder. "Prince Ream?" Mondre` gulps. "Uh huh. The Marques’ daughter called Ream Prince Skreme as he was bringing Jaran here." Ashla giggles. Mondre` looks to Skreme, whose cheeks are red. "We should go now. I think we have overstayed our welcome." Debern says. He puts his hand on Jaran's shoulder and grabs Ryuu's arm. Ashla takes Ryuu's hand. They disappear into thin air. Mondre` and Skreme gape. “He can travel!” Mondre` gasps. “So he is an Avantra.” Skreme says. Mondre` sits down on the floor, sighing. "Fantastic." he mumbles. “What are we going to do?” “We won't say anything about this to anyone.” Skreme says, standing beside him. “But he'll come back.” Mondre` says. “We'll make sure he doesn't.” “How are we going to stop an Avantra? He was able to move Everdron‘s aura aside as if it wasn't there.” Mondre` leans his head against the wood. “He did?” Skreme asks. Mondre` nods. Skreme looks back at where Debern had been standing. “Then we'll need to stop him another way.” he says. “Our Alchemic bombs?” Mondre` asks. “Maybe that'll work.” Skreme mumbles. They stop when soldiers run by. "And I never want to be alone with that yapping girl ever again." he growls. Mondre` grins. "Now you understand how it feels." he says. "We need to tell her you're still alive." Skreme says, walking to the door. Mondre` gets up. "She thinks I'm dead?" he asks. "Probably. She wouldn't relent having me try and fight rats to save you." Skreme says. Mondre` laughs. "I suppose we should go tell her then." he says. They walk out to search for her. She is exasperated to see Mondre` safe when they do find her. "You are alive! Did you destroy the rat's nest?" she asks. The escort is still with her. "Rat's nest?" Mondre` asks quizzically. "I mentioned you may have encountered a rat's nest." Skreme says to him. "Yes. How many were there?" Marinae asks, hands clasped together anxiously. "Oh, uh, about thirty. They were fairly large and disgusting." Mondre` says, wiping his bangs back from his eyes. "You are so brave, my Lord. Tell me how you defeated them." she says, overjoyed. Mondre` gets a sheepish smile. "All right. But I need to find Lieutenant Ivinin first." he says. "You can tell me on the way then." she says cheerfully. "All right." he says. The trio walk through the palace, talking while looking for Ivinin. Mondre` makes up a tall tale about how he defeated the giant rats all alone. Skreme adds to the tale by saying he used a sword from one of the trophy rooms. Even their escort seems impressed. Marinae gazes at Mondre` with wonder. “You will be a great High King one day.” she says happily. Ivinin comes out of a hallway. "You are safe." he says. He sounds relieved. "Yes, we are fine. There is no need to worry." Skreme says. "Of course, Your Majesty." Ivinin says with a bow. "Where shall we go, Your Majesty?" Marinae asks, holding Mondre`’s arm. "How about the courtyard?" Mondre` suggests, mostly to Skreme. “Excellent idea!” Marinae says excitedly. "Yes. Let us go." Skreme says. They walk to the back of the palace. The next night, Skreme and Mondre` sit at the dining table. Marinae sits opposite them. The soldiers stand all around, watching them eat. They had already checked the food for any sort of poison. Nothing could be found. The boys remain silent as they eat. They were still tired from yesterday. Their parents had reprimanded them for sneaking away from the escort. They had not run off since. They were too busy thinking of a decision they decided on last night. The grown-ups already ate and were in the War room, discussing the problem. Marinae sees the princes’ exhausted expressions. "What is wrong?" she asks, putting her fork down. Mondre` looks up then smiles. "Nothing is wrong. We are only tired." he replies. Skreme puts his silverware down and gets up. "We are full. We are going to bed." he mumbles. Mondre` yawns then rises along with him. “As are we.” he says. They walk to the door with half the soldiers following a yard away. The boys turn the corner. The soldiers turn to see the cousins' backs to them, as always. Mondre` and Skreme watch them walk after their copies. "We have to hurry." Skreme says to Mondre`. They make their way through the walls to their room. They change outfits then travel. Ryuu is on the steps, waiting for them. He stands up when they walk in. "Ready?" he asks. "We need to tell you something first." Mondre` says. "Come on." Ryuu says, walking past them to the door. "Where are you going to take us?" Skreme asks. "You'll see." Ryuu says. "Isn't Ashla coming?" Mondre` asks. Ryuu gives a stiff shrug. "She doesn't want to come." he says. "Is this going to take long?" Skreme asks. "Not long at all." Ryuu says. ‘It'll be one last adventure before we tell him.’ Mondre` thinks. "All right. We'll come." he says. Skreme frowns at him. “It'll keep us from Marinae.” he says to him. He strides up to Ryuu. "Are you coming?" Ryuu asks. Skreme appears to think about what Mondre` said. "Very well. I'll come. But afterwards, we need to talk." he says. He strides past them out into the street. He goes down one end of the road. "Ummm, it's the other way." Ryuu says. Skreme stops then turns and walks the other way after Mondre` and Ryuu. People walk across to a set of stores, getting in their way. They have to push through the crowd to get away. They come to open space. The wind rustles the leaves on the trees and whistles through gaps in the wood, cooling the hot city lanes. The buildings block much of the setting sunlight and trees, making them look like towering monsters. The waterfalls can still be heard. 'This is far better than sloshing through the sewers.' Skreme thinks. He watches Ryuu lead the way. 'We should tell him now and go back.' he thinks. The image of Marinae yapping comes to mind. He shudders as a cool breeze blows through. 'I suppose we can keep going a little longer. At least until she's asleep.' he decides. Mondre` looks to the stores. They are all busy, lit with candle or lodestone light. The merchants beckon for them to see what they have. The three continue, since they didn't have any money and they already had something to do. The lodestone lamps light the street with eerie pale green-white light. Mondre` looks over his shoulder. The palace looms behind them, rising among the clouds. The glowing tips of the spires appear to be parts of the dimming sky while some are covered in cloud. His eyes move down to the city. Figures creep past two dark buildings. He catches another darting between a small alleyway on the other side, moving in their direction. He walks over to Skreme. “I think someone's following us.” he whispers. “Are you sure?” Skreme asks. “Yes.” Mondre` says. He hurries his pace enough to catch up with Ryuu while keeping a lookout. "We're being followed." he says as softly as he can. "I know." Ryuu says just as softly. They don't say anything else, keeping their eyes and ears open. Ten turns later, they come to the edge of the city. Ahead of them is a vast plain covered in purple and green plants. To the right, the Donoghue mountain range can be faintly seen, covered in forest. People walk down and up a pathway to a winding dirt road heading north. "We need to pass the Burning Plains to get where we're going." Ryuu says, walking down a flight of stairs that end the cobbled city roads. "Be careful. One cut from the Cratje and you burn all over within moments." He steps out into the open, going straight instead of walking down the path. "We know of it." Skreme says. A sound makes him turn back. Nothing moves. "What does the Cathe look like?" Mondre` asks. "Cratje. I'll show you." Ryuu says, jogging ahead. "Why are we going into the Burning Plains?" Skreme asks, hurrying to keep up. “It'll be faster than the path.” Ryuu says, slowing down. "When do you have to go back to the castle?" He comes to a stop at a patch of tall grasses and kneels down beside a purple plant that has thorns down most of it's stalk. "We don't any time soon." Mondre` says. Ryuu takes a dagger out of his boots. He cuts the plant at it's base where there are less thorns. He stands up and hands the plant to Skreme when he walks up. "That's the Cratje. Don't cut yourself." he says, sheathing the dagger. Skreme notices the long thorns very close to his hands and drops it. "Why are you giving it to me? He's the one who asked." he snaps, pointing at Mondre`. "I thought you wanted to see it." Ryuu replies. “Don't yell.” Mondre` whispers. “I can if I want to.” Skreme says. “But we might be found out.” Mondre` says, seeing the people walking down the road close to them. Ryuu looks to the horizon to see the first moon edging it’s way up in the north-west. "Since you two don't need to go anytime soon, let's make camp." he says. "How long is it going to take to get to this place of yours?" Skreme asks sharply. Ryuu ponders, gazing at the distant forest. "We could make it by the eighth if you don't want to stop. It isn't far." he says. Skreme looks at the city. Mondre` elbows him. His eyes dart over to glare at him. "We don't have to stay. We can always go back to Marinae's talk." Mondre` says to him. Skreme fumes, surely imagining how Marinae would talk non-stop at them. "Fine. We'll stay. But what are we going to do about them?" he grumbles to him. "They won't come anywhere near us if they know what's good for them." Mondre` says to him. Skreme looks back to the city then returns his gaze to Mondre`. “I have an idea.” he says to him. Ryuu watches them stare at each other. "What's wrong?" he asks. "Nothing. We want to rest before we go." Mondre` says then gives a tiny nod to the city. Ryuu understands the motion, but is confused. "Then we should gather some wood for a fire." he says. The three separate, but remain close, gathering anything they can use for fuel. Mondre` picks up anything he thinks will work for a fire. He pulls a branch off a small tree. The sound of snapping twigs gets closer. He gathers everything then hurries back to the campsite. Skreme picks up anything that doesn't have insects or dirt. Mondre` places his moderately sized pile down into a space Ryuu had cleared. Skreme drops nine wilted plants on the ground and sits with his arms crossed. His aura brightens to warm himself up. "Are you all right?" Mondre` asks. "I'm tired." Skreme mumbles. Mondre` feels the same way, but the work keeps him awake. Ryuu comes up and puts his pile of branches and sticks down beside Mondre`'s. He picks up a group of green blades of grass then sets them aside. “These won't work. These will.” he says, sorting through the pile. He puts everything he needs in a pile then takes out two flint stones, blowing on them to make sure they are dry. Then he strikes them together by the pile. Sparks fly into the wood. He blows into the pile then strikes the stones again. Skreme puts a finger on the ground. A stream of his aura shoots across the ground into the pile while Ryuu blows on it again to get the fire going. It bursts into flames. Ryuu looks to the stones. Skreme and Mondre` sit close to fire, trying to warm up. “They're coming.” Mondre` whispers. “Stay quiet.” Ryuu whispers. “Should we put a barrier up?” Mondre` asks his cousin. “We should.” Skreme says to him. The cousins concentrate. Dual streams of magic shoot up then spread out into a dome over them to the ground. Ryuu doesn't see it. He was putting the flints back into his satchel then sits opposite of them. "So how long have you lived with the guild?" Mondre` asks. "Ever since my mother died. I wander around sometimes. But the guild is like my family." Ryuu replies. "Where's your father?" Mondre` asks. Skreme hugs his knees. His eyes glance about. "I never knew him. Mother didn't like to talk of him." Ryuu says, gazing at the flames. Mondre` becomes silent, watching the fire eat at the dead grasses. 'He never knew him? That's terrible. Why wouldn't she tell him about his own father?' he wonders.

Copyright 2007

Sabotage - Chapter Eight

2010-06-06T10:18:00.000-04:00

Chapter Eight

Early the next morning, the Royals sit in the study, trying to remain awake. Bersion stands with his back to them, gazing out into the courtyard. Everdron paces across the room. His figure casts a long shadow. "Explain to me what you saw again." he says. The cousins groan. "We told you. We woke up when Mondre` began ranting about a person being killed in the throne room. So we let him show us. We viewed a person standing over the body." Skreme says. "Then Marinae startled us. The person heard us and was about to attack, so we ran." Mondre` says. “That was when we met the lieutenant.” "Who di...." "Who did you see in the throne room?" Everdron says, interrupting Bersion while standing infront of Mondre`. Bersion gives him a sharp look. Mondre` looks to Skreme then back to Everdron. "We did not see who it was." he says. Bersion looks to Marinae, who fiddles with her hands. "And who did you see, Daemon Marinae?" he asks kindly. "I only viewed a person in the dark." she says. Everdron turns to Skreme, who glares up at him. "Who did you see...." Bersion clears his throat. Everdron folds his hands behind him and softens his voice slightly. "Your Majesty, who did you see?" he asks. "We viewed a person with blue eyes." Skreme says simply. "Did he speak?" Everdron asks. "We can not remember." Skreme yawns. Everdron turns away and walks past Bersion to the desk. "Wait. He did say something." Skreme says thoughtfully. Both Advisors face him. "What did he say, Your Majesty?" Bersion asks. Skreme smirks. "He said something similar to 'You are a fool'." he says. "No, it was 'What a fool'." Mondre` corrects. Everdron narrows his eyes at him. Skreme pretends to remember. "That is right. It was 'What a fool'." he says. "Did he sound familiar?" Bersion asks. Mondre` shakes his head. Skreme nods. "He sounded very familiar." he says. "Who was it, Your Majesty?" Everdron asks, sounding eager to get this situation over and done with. "You will not believe us when we tell you." Skreme says, relaxing back in his seat. "I will believe you, Your Majesty." Everdron says. Skreme looks up at him with a wicked smile. "All right then." he says. "Skreme!" Mondre` hisses at him, sitting forward. "It was you." Skreme says. Everdron’s face goes blank. "Excuse me, Your Majesty?" Bersion asks. "We heard High Advisor Everdron say 'What a fool'." Skreme says slowly. Everdron looks very confused. "If this is one of your tricks, it is not amusing." he says, staring hard into Skreme's eyes. "It is the truth." Skreme says. Everdron stands there, gazing hard at them then glances at the floor. Mondre`, Skreme, and Marinae gazes do not waver. He notices them staring and clears his throat. "Are you sure you overheard me say that?" he asks. Mondre` nods a little, along with Skreme. Marinae looks from one person to another. Everdron begins to seem worried. "Perhaps you should leave, High Advisor Everdron. I will continue to interrogate." Bersion says. "His High Majesty, Daemon High King of Veud, Gothron Daemonious. Her Highness, Daemon High Queen of Veud, Lithera Daemonious. Daemon Grand Duke Yorroe Daemonious of Klohmoi. And Her Majesty, Daemon Grand Duchess Katalin Daemonious of Klohmoi. They have arrived!" they hear from the main ballroom. The three teenagers hurry to the door. "We will continue this later." Bersion says. "Yes." they reply. The princes race down the corridor to the front doors. The doors are wide open, showing a pair of carriages stopping at the palace stairs. A man and woman step out of the first. Then the second Royal carriage door opens, letting out another couple. "Mom! Dad!" the boys cry, running up the stairs to their parents. They hug them tight, overjoyed to see them. "Good morning." Gothron says, patting Mondre`'s head. "You two have not been in too much trouble, I hope." Yorroe says. "No. There has not been too much trouble." Skreme says. The High Advisors walk up. Everdron is solemn. "Greetings, High Advisors." Lithera says with a slight bow of her head. The High Advisors bow low. "Greetings, Daemon High Queen." Bersion says. "Has anything been going on while we have been away?" Gothron asks. Everdron goes to say something, but Mondre` notices Marinae coming toward them. "Dad, the Marques' daughter is here." he says. "Greetings, Daemon Marinae. Welcome to Veud." Gothron says. Mondre` lets out his breath. Marinae smiles and curtsies. "Thank you, Daemon High Lord. It is a pleasure to be here." she replies politely. "Where are the Daemon Marques and Daemon Marquises? I would like to speak with them." Lithera says. "They are away in the city, Daemon High Lady." Marinae says. "Let us go to the dining hall while we wait for them." Gothron suggests. "Excellent idea. I am famished." Yorroe says, wrapping his arm around Katalin's shoulders. Everyone walks to the dining hall, talking of recent events. "Coming, Advisor?" Bersion says. He walks after the group. Everdron follows, grim faced. When they are settled down at the dining table, the boys ask their parents all sorts of questions. "How large are the Dragons?" Mondre` asks excitedly. "They can be as large as trees. The Dragoons are even larger." Gothron says. He had just finished telling the three about what the battle had been like. The boys were fascinated by the descriptions of the Fae Folk and Dragons. Marinae not as much. "I could defeat a Dragoon easily." Skreme says. Yorroe chuckles. "We are sure you can." he says, ruffling his son's hair. "Dad!" Skreme grumbles, pushing his hand away. He tries to flatten it back down. "It takes a great deal of strength and patience to bring only one Dragoon down." Gothron says. "We can do it. We are sure." Mondre` says confidently. The grown-ups laugh at his enthusiasm. The Advisors stand on either side of Gothron. Katalin notices the sour expression on Everdron's face. "High Advisor. Is something the matter?" she asks. "Yes, Milady, there is." Everdron says. They all turn around to face him. "What is it?" Lithera asks. "Would it be all right if the young Majesties left?" Bersion asks. Gothron turns to the boys and Marinae. "You need to leave." he says, suddenly serious. "But..." "Go." he orders. The teenagers get up from the table and leave the room. The door shuts behind them. "What do you think they are telling them?" Marinae asks. "I don't know. I can't hear anything in there." Mondre` says, pressing his ear to the door. "They probably have a sound bubble." Skreme mumbles. "Is it about what we saw last night?" Marinae asks. "Most likely." he says. Mondre` leans against the wall. "They didn't need to lock us out. We know all about it." he says. "Perhaps they know something we don't." Skreme says. "Why are you speaking as a peasant?" Marinae asks. “Maybe they're talking about the intruders.” Mondre` says, ignoring her. Skreme gazes at the door, a deep concentrated look on his face. "Come with me, Mondre`. Stay here, Princess, and keep watch." he says, hurrying across the throne room. Mondre` rushes to keep up. "Princess?” she mumbles then raises her voice. “What do I do if they come out?" "Act like nothing is happening." Skreme hollers back. She watches the two disappear along with a row of soldiers through a doorway. "You do realize she can't do that." Mondre` points out. "I realize." Skreme says. They move up a flight of stairs. “Are you ready?” he asks Mondre`. “Yes.” Mondre` says to him. They speed ahead, leaving the surprised guards behind. The guards hurry to catch up. “Someone sneaked into the palace?!” Yorroe says angrily. “Yes. A guard saw a young half breed in the laundry room.” Bersion says. “It sent his patroller into a vat of hot water before running into the palace. He was able to catch up, but one of it’s companions attacked him then he claims that they traveled. I have not been informed as to when the prisoner was released.” “Tauva informed me it was during the fourth tone.” Everdron says. “How many do you suspect there were?” Katalin asks. “At least three. And there is one other thing, Your High Majesty. The gift has been stolen.” Everdron says. Gothron listens, his facial features emotionless. 'Has my military slacked that much while I have been away?' he wonders. Mondre` and Skreme come to a door that has a dark blue-purple aura over it. 'What are we doing at High Advisor Everdron‘s room?' Mondre` wonders. Skreme holds his arms out at the door, palms placed together. A tiny beam of his dark, nearly black, green aura shoots into the barrier. He separates his hands, widening the beam. It grows, becoming a hole big enough for one of them to fit in. "Go." he says, looking down the hall. Mondre` opens the door and slips in. He then holds it open for Skreme, who steps in after him. Skreme closes the door and steps away, letting Mondre` release the barrier. They look about the room, which is filled with books and documents. A bed is set against one wall. Dressers are beside it with inkwells and papers on top. "What are we looking for?" Mondre` asks, nudging a quill around in an inkwell. "Everdron used a sword. We need to find it. Or the handkerchief he used to wipe it off with." Skreme says, searching a desk. “He would not hide it in his room. This would be the first place the guards would search.” Mondre` says, opening a drawer. “He would keep it here until they decided to search.” Skreme says. They find several small daggers for opening letters, but none look big or long enough for the stab wound they saw on the soldier. Mondre` looks under the bed and sees a hilt. "Skreme." he says, pulling it out. It was a sword taller than Skreme with a silver hilt bejeweled with rubies. "It couldn't have been that. It's too big." Skreme says. Mondre` slides the weapon back into place. "We need to go back. There's nothing here." he says. Skreme is on the floor, knocking on the floor boards for any secret compartments. "Fine." he mutters, standing up. He places one of the last daggers back in it‘s place between two books. They put it all away then slip out of the room. Soldiers appear out of the walls. "Daemon High Prince Mondre`. Daemon Prince Skreme. Come with us." one soldier orders. “Why?” Skreme asks. “The High King requests you come to the dining hall.” the soldier says. The boys decide not to argue. They let the soldiers escort them back to the throne room. Marinae is not at the dining room doors. The doors are opened when they come closer. The princes see their parents, including Marinae's, talking to the girl. The adults look up when the boys and soldiers step in. "Where have you been?" snaps Yorroe. "We were walking around." Skreme says. "You should not go anywhere without the escort. The High Advisors have informed us that someone has infiltrated the palace and murdered a soldier. Daemon Marinae was just informing us of what happened." Gothron says in a stern voice. "Do you understand?" Lithera asks. "Yes Ma‘am." the boys reply solemnly. "Now you need to tell us what happened." Katalin says. The boys tell them the same story they told the High Advisors. When they finish, Gothron nods. "You may go. Do not leave the escort." he says. Marinae follows the princes out of the room. The doors close behind them. "What did you tell them?" Skreme asks, facing the girl. "I told them the same I had before." she says. "So Everdron didn't mention anything about what Skreme told him?" Mondre` asks. "I am not sure. They only asked me what I witnessed." Marinae replies. They watch her fiddle with her hair, waiting for her to tell them more. "And?" Skreme asks impatiently. "I said I viewed a person in the throne room." she says. The soldiers walk closer to listen. Mondre` takes a glance back at them then returns to facing ahead. "Maybe we can figure out who really killed the soldier." he says to Skreme and Marinae. "Everdron is the killer." Skreme mutters to them as they continue to walk. "We don't know that for sure." Mondre` says to them. Skreme shrugs. "So you say." he says to them. They walk through the palace corridors with the escort, wondering what to do first. Marinae describes what they could do instead of looking for the murderer. Mondre` and Skreme walk faster to possibly escape. Mondre` notices something shining out of the corner of his eye when he walks into a corridor. Ryuu peeks out of a hallway, his earring catching the light. He waves when Skreme steps beside Mondre`. He backs away just as Marinae comes around the corner. She sees their tense expressions. "What is it?" she asks. "Nothing. It is just....I think I saw a giant rat." Skreme says. Her aura brightens with fear. "We should have the escort take care of it." she suggests. "No!" the boys cry. "No. Why not help the servants by removing it ourselves?" Skreme says. "Is that so?" Mondre` asks him. "That is all right. You go on ahead. We shall wait here." she says. "Very well." Mondre` says. He and Skreme run off to the hallway. The escort goes to follow them. Marinae turns and narrows her eyes, which become purple with green slits. "Do not go anywhere." she orders. They stop in their tracks. “Yes, Madam.” the captain gulps. Mondre` and Skreme come up to Ryuu and Ashla. "What are you doing here?" Skreme hisses. "We were worried when you did not return." Ashla says. "How did you get in?" Mondre` asks. "Tino let us in with Jaran and Debern." Ryuu says. He notices their outfits. "What are you wearing?" he asks. Ashla sees them too. She tilts her head. "Is that silk?" she asks. "We are wearing....the princes' outfits...to pretend." Mondre` says, thinking it up as he goes. "Oh. To pretend what?" she asks. "A game. Where is Debern and Jaran?" Skreme says. "I am not sure. Debern told us they were going to distract the guards." Ashla says. "So where are we going today?" Ryuu asks. "Not at the moment. We need to find Debern and Jaran." Mondre` says. "Did you get it?" Marinae calls. Ryuu and Ashla pause. "Who's that?" Ryuu asks, going to peek out. Skreme grabs his arm. "Someone who will tell on us if she finds out about you." he says. Ryuu backs away. "What do we do?" he asks in a whisper. They hear Marinae's footsteps come closer along with the escorts'. "Follow me." Mondre` whispers. He leads them down the hall. Marinae comes around to see no one standing there. 'Where did they go?' she wonders. The four run to a small storage room. They sneak inside. Mondre` takes a quick glance then shuts the door. "You two hide here until we return. We'll go search for Debern and Jaran." Skreme says. "We can help you." Ashla says. "No. You must stay here. We'll come back soon." he says. The cousins leave the room. Mondre` waves his hand over the door. It fades away, changing into wall. They dash down the corridor. They make sure to check every room. Servants move out of their way when they speed by. They arrive in the main ballroom then stop. A single soldier stands infront of two guards who protect the dining hall door, talking to them. Mondre` and Skreme turn to creep away. A guard points to the cousins. The one soldier swivels around. "Your Majesties!" he hollers. The cousins stop and turn back to see that it is Ivinin. "Yes?" Mondre` asks. Ivinin walks up. "The High Majesties have ordered me to accompany Your Majesties." he says. "I thought those other soldiers were going to keep being the escort." Skreme says. "Daemon High Advisor Everdron told His Daemon High Majesty of what happened last night. They wish for me to lead the escort and watch over you while the intruder is loose." Ivinin says. "Now how are we going to find Debern?" Mondre` asks Skreme. "Let me think." Skreme says to him. "Where is Daemon Marinae?" Ivinin asks, looking around for her. Mondre` sees Skreme smirk. It changes to a worried frown. "We do not know. We have not seen her since the meeting with our parents. She took the escort with her and vanished." Skreme says. "Where did you see them last?" Ivinin asks. "We witnessed them go down that corridor." Skreme says, pointing to a hallway. Ivinin looks back to the dining room doors. "We need to search for them." he says. "All right." the princes say. They follow him down the hall. "Daemon Marinae! Where are you?" Ivinin calls. His voice echoes through the corridors. He waits, but no one responds. 'They must be on a higher level.' "We need to go upstairs." he says, turning to the boys. They are gone. 'Oh no.' he thinks fearfully. He remains calm. 'They should not have gone far.' Skreme and Mondre` run through the shadows inside the walls. The halls zigzag in all directions. They leap across a corridor into another wall. A servant walking down that corridor hears something and turns, but nothing is there. "We need to find Jaran and Debern then take them and Ryuu and Ashla back before they're caught." Skreme says. They duck into the floor as twenty soldiers march through. Some soldiers' gazes wander when the boys stop. The cousins conceal their whereabouts. The soldiers march away. "Uncle Gothron was serious about searching for the killer." Skreme mumbles. "We could find them easier if we separate." Mondre` asks. Skreme frowns then nods. "All right. But if you find any one of them, don't say anything about what's happening. Just bring them with you to the room." he says. "I know." Mondre` says. The two head off in different directions, keeping to the shadows. Skreme searches the ground floor. Mondre` walks under a stairwell. Someone walks down the stairs. Mondre` keeps still as they step onto the floor. Tino looks about then walks out a door at the far end of the room. Mondre` steps from the wall and climbs the stairs. 'How did Tino get them into the palace without alerting the guards? And how did they avoid getting trapped by the barrier?' he wonders. He gets to the landing. A movement catches his eye. Someone runs up the next flight of stairs. "Wait!" he calls, racing after them.

Please leave a comment to let me know how you like it. It would be much appreciated. Thank you.

Copyright 2007

Sabotage - Chapter Seven

2010-05-30T10:45:00.000-04:00

Chapter Seven

The next day, the Advisors greet the young girl and her parents at the front doors. "Welcome, Daemon Marques Bradin. Welcome, Daemon Marquises Esther. Welcome, Daemon Marinae." Bersion says, bowing his head low. The family bows their heads ever so slightly in respect. "Where is His Majesty, Daemon High Prince Mondre`?" Marquises Esther asks. "The Daemon High Prince is coming shortly." Everdron says with a bow. "We may wait for him in the Gold den.” They escort the family to a den, where they wait for the princes. High Advisor Everdron has to leave soon after to start a jousting tournament that was going on that day. Servants bring in drinks and entrees while High Advisor Bersion entertains the guests by talking with them. Mondre` and Skreme hurry to get dressed in their best outfits with Hume and Iar‘s help. Mondre` is worried and excited about meeting the Marques‘ daughter. Skreme, on the other hand, is thinking of other things. “We wish to see the Tournaments after this.” he says while his pants are being put on. “Perhaps we may be able to if this does not take long.” Mondre` says then Hume puts a yellow tunic with gold trim over the High Prince’s head. “The Tournaments will be here for several days, Your Majesty. You do not need to worry.” Iar says. He puts Skreme’s boots on him. The princes’ circlets are placed on their heads. Skreme's is gold with a dark green emerald. Mondre`'s has a gold circlet with ridges on the top and a single yellow topaz in the center, which makes it look like a small crown. He pulls an object out of his dresser drawer, keeping it covered by a silk cloth. “We are done. Now go on, Your Majesties. And good luck.” Hume says. The princes race out and down the two flights of stairs. They stop at the den door, where guards stand. They make sure everything is straight. The guards nod that all is well then turn and knock for them. Bersion walks over and opens the door. The adults bow and curtsey to them when they step in. The Marquises Esther has long flowing red hair and soft blue eyes. Her aura is a deep violet aura that surrounds her. Marques Bradin has short brown hair and sharp eyes that are half red and half yellow horizontally, showing his courage. He has a sand brown aura around him. Mondre` notices Marinae is close to his age. She has long red curly hair like her mother, bright green eyes, and a few freckles that cover the top of her cheeks. A bright leaf green aura surrounds. She blushes when she sees the two boys. "Your Majesties. This is the Daemon Marques Bradin of Haeltin and Daemon Marquises Esther of Uatha. And this is Daemon Marinae of Haeltin. Keep her company and show her the city. She and her parents will be our guests for several days." Bersion says politely. “Yes.” the boys say. Mondre` lifts the object out from behind him. "This is a gift for you." he says. Her eyes glisten as she takes it, removing the cloth. "It is beautiful." she breathes, touching the edges of the distance mirror. Bersion was peering at it, his eyes narrowed. "Thank you very much, Your Majesty." Marinae says gleefully. "I will take it while you go with Their Majesties." her mother says. "Thank you, mother." Marinae says. She hands it to her mother. Mondre` holds out his arm. She smiles and takes it. Both boys escort her out the door. "Do you believe he will like her?" Marques Bradin whispers to his wife. She smiles, looking down at the mirror. "I believe he will." she whispers back. The Royals are taken in a carriage down to the city with more than three dozen soldiers following. They can hear cheers coming from the Tournament stadium. “I'm missing it.” Skreme says to Mondre` bitterly. “We'll get to it later.” Mondre` tells him. When they arrive in the middle class section of the city, they get out to walk along the crowded streets. Marinae holds Mondre`'s arm as they stride by shops. "This place is so different from my home. The people are so friendly. The shops are much bigger." she says. She looks down below as they cross a bridge with a wide waterfall. Her face glows with wondrous fascination from the reflected light. "We would like to see your realm." Mondre` says. "I would not." he hears Skreme mutter in his mind. He does not listen. “How long did it take you to get here?” he asks. “Only two days on the straight road.” she says. Mondre` comes to a stop. They are several yards from the merchant’s corner. Skreme looks to him, as if to say We should turn back. “What is wrong, my Lord?” Marinae asks. “There is nothing wrong. We would just like to show you the countryside.” Mondre` says. “That is a fantastic idea.” she says happily. So they return to the palace. Mondre` has three tall strong animals brought out. Steam drifts out of the creatures’ nostrils. Their eyes glow with an inner flame. Their hooves click on the cobbled stone pathway, sending out sparks. Their tails, made out of long black hair, whip at the insects that bite them. The creatures shake their black manes as the sun shines on their black fur. And when they whinny, long sharp teeth can be seen in their mouths. "Oh, what beautiful nightmares!" Marinae exclaims, running up to one. It snorts, sending out streams of steam. She pets it's muzzle, offering out her other hand. It sniffs it for food. "Would you like to ride this one?" Mondre` asks. She smiles to him. "Yes, my Lord." she replies. He helps her onto the one then climbs up onto Gan, his own nightmare. Skreme hops onto his named Praimer. Soldiers on nightmareback file in behind them, carrying long green and black halberds at their sides. They ride around the kingdom, enjoying the day. They see many people in villages and towns close to Veud. The people bow and curtsey when the Royals pass. The group decide to rest under a thick tree, having a small snack. Marinae enjoys feeding her nightmare. When she asks if it wants more, it bobs it‘s head, making her giggle. Mondre` watches, glad she was not acting like the Count‘s daughter. Skreme was too distract by the city. The Royals finish and return to their nightmares, returning to their journey across the fields. Skreme guides his steed between Mondre` and Marinae. "Let us have a race. The first person to reach that tree over there wins." he says. Mondre` and Marinae look in the direction he indicates. There is a group of trees straight ahead. A single tree stands out just infront of the others. "Why would you wish to race?" Marinae asks. Skreme is puzzled by her question. "To have fun." he replies. "Oh. Very well." she says. Mondre` and Skreme move their nightmares into a row then ready themselves. Marinae does the same, following their example. "Captain." Mondre` calls. "Yes, my Lord?" a soldier says, trotting up. "Get ready to signal." Mondre` says. The soldier bows his head. "Yes, Your Majesty." he replies. He holds the reins and the halberd in one hand and holds up the other. "Ready?" Skreme asks, grinning. "We are ready." Mondre` grins, staring straight ahead. "I think I am ready." Marinae says nervously. Skreme nods his head to the captain and gets ready. The soldier swings his arm down. "Go!" he shouts. The Royals dig the heels of their boots into the sides of their mounts. The nightmares whinny and charge. Mondre` and Skreme keep their bodies low so they don't get pushed off by the wind. Marinae keeps herself held high. Her nightmare slows at the resistant pull she creates. The princes race ahead of her. She stops her nightmare, watching them dash away. The soldiers come up beside her and watch. Skreme starts to move ahead. Mondre` kicks his steed repeatedly, making it move faster. He comes even with Skreme then passes him. "That's not fair!" Skreme growls, racing after him. Mondre` laughs and spurs Gan on. Skreme comes up beside him. The nightmares suddenly snarl and shake their manes, slowing to a stop. “What's going on?” Skreme asks as Praimer rises onto his hindlegs. “Gan, what is it?” Mondre` asks. The other nightmares were shrieking and snapping at the air behind them. Gan swivels his head to gaze at Mondre` with one bright eye. The feeling of danger runs through him from the creature. “Something's wrong.” he says. A crash from the trees makes them swivel in their saddles. The nightmares bare their teeth, ears lowered, eyes brightening. A huge Demon comes crashing through the branches. It has a lithe body and a bony tail, with long arms and legs. The claws on it’s hands are big black hooks. It has four pairs of long ears flattened and horns that curl infront of the ears then back behind it's head to pinpoints. Four pairs of wings line the sides of it's back. It’s face is contorted with rage. ‘A rogue Demon?’ Mondre` wonders. The Demon roars and dives for the cousins. The nightmares crouch. Mondre` and Skreme slide off. The nightmares charge at the Demon at full speed. The Demon pulls up, barely avoiding their teeth as they leap at it. The soldiers launch volleys of lightning at it. It avoids their attacks, hitting the missiles with it‘s calloused hands. It holds out it’s palm and sends a thick spout of flame. It streaks along the ground between the cousins and the escort. Mondre` keeps Gan between him and the Demon. Marinae clings to her nightmare’s mane in terror, remaining behind the soldiers. The Demon lands yards from the princes, who stand behind their nightmares. Their auras are gathered in their hands, ready to attack if the Demon made any sudden movements. The Demon walks toward them, a wide grin on it’s face. “Stay back!” Skreme orders. The Demon’s grin widens, showing multiple teeth. Mondre` throws his aura at it as hard as he can. It goes to deflect it with it's tail. The aura chips a piece of it off. The Demon snarls and spreads it’s wings, lunging for them. The nightmares leap at it. They catch the Demon on two of it’s wings. They pull it to the ground. It swipes at them. The captain has all the soldiers face the ring of fire. They have their auras shaped into thin pinpoints, stabbing into the fire and aura. “What is going on here?” High Advisor Everdron stalks toward them. “Lord Everdron. The princes are being attacked! And we are unable to get through!” the captain yells over the roaring fire. Everdron steps up to the fire. His aura brightens as he holds out his hands, palms together. His aura narrows to a pinpoint and stabs into the barrier. He moves his hands apart, spreading his aura and the barrier. Once it is wide enough, he leaps through, hearing the aura snap closed. He sees the princes standing several yards away then hears a shriek. He falls back to avoid a nightmare that is flung at him. It lands on it’s hooves and swings back around. The fire goes out and the barrier goes away. Everdron rolls to his feet, but what flung the nightmare is gone. Another nightmare is sniffing around, growling in frustration. “Are you all right, Your Majesties?” he asks, hurrying over to the princes. “We are not fine! We were just attacked!” Skreme snaps. “We are fine. Is Marinae all right?” Mondre` asks. “I believe she is, Your Majesty.” Everdron says. “We must return to the palace immediately.” He gestures to the nightmares, who trot over to them. "Get on, Your Majesties." The princes climb onto their nightmares. Marinae is still on her steed, looking around fearfully. “I wish to return to the palace.” she says warily. “We shall, Your Majesty.” Everdron says, holding the nightmares’ reins. The units climb back onto their steeds. Everdron takes Marinae’s nightmare’s reins then says. “Let us go.” The Royals then are traveled to the palace. They arrive at the steps of the palace. Bersion is there waiting for them. He makes his way down as they climb off their mounts. “We wish to go to the Tournaments now.” Skreme says after three soldiers escort the nightmares to the stables. “Not at this time, Your Majesty. You were just attacked. And I was informed the intruders returned.” Everdron says. “Intruders?” Mondre` asks. “Yes, it is true. They left mere moments ago with one of our prisoners.” Bersion says. ‘Does he mean…? Could it have been Ashla and Ryuu?’ Mondre` wonders. Many more questions run through his head. He carefully looks to the soldiers, but they are paying attention to Everdron. “I believe it would be best if you stayed closer to the palace.” Everdron says. “We want to go see the Tournaments.” Skreme says. "Can we see the Tournaments another time? I would like to see the grand ballroom." Marinae says, seeming to have calmed down. "Which one?" Mondre` asks. "The best." she says. “That would be the Red Ballroom.” Bersion says. "Will you show her, Your Majesties?" “What about the Tournaments?” Skreme mutters stiffly. “We can go tomorrow.” Mondre` suggests, looking hopefully to Everdron. “Perhaps.” Everdron says. Marinae slips her arm through Mondre`’s. He looks to her. She smiles. “Please?” she says. He blushes. “All right.” he says. He escorts her into the palace. Skreme stands on the walkway. “Will you not accompany them, Your Majesty?” Bersion asks. “No.” Skreme mutters. “Then perhaps you could return to studying. You still need to read the chapter on the Crafons.” Everdron says. Skreme stiffens, pressing his lips tightly together. He walks after Mondre` and Marinae. Everdron watches him leave then faces the soldiers. “Stay with them. I must speak with Advisor Bersion.” he says. “Yes sir.” the captain says. The escort follows the Royals. The three come to the nearly empty Red ballroom. Some servants are cleaning the floor. They bow when the teenagers come in. "What a beautiful place!" Marinae breathes, gazing at the architecture. She twirls around then faces Mondre`. "Why, hello, my Lord. I hear music in the air." she says with a curtsey. Mondre` smiles and bows. "Then shall we dance?" he asks and gestures to the servants. The servants bow then walk out. Three musicians step in. "The Jochiro Waltz." Mondre` says. The musicians lift their instruments up and begin to play. Mondre` takes Marinae’s hand and dances with her to the music along the sleek soft gray floor. He shows her the different dances he had been taught. She giggles when he does a silly dance. “Where did you learn that, Your Majesty?” she asks. “We imagined it.” he says, chuckling. “You try.” “Oh, no, Your Majesty. I could not possibly do that.” she says, lowering her gaze sheepishly. Skreme was sitting in a chair a servant brought for him to watch the pair. She hears him snap his fingers to make a flame. She stops dancing and walks over to him. “Would you like to dance?” she asks. “Why not continue dancing with Mondre`?” he asks, returning his gaze back to the flame. “I would like to dance with you now, Your Majesty.” she says. “She is our guest. Please?” Mondre` says. Skreme sighs, extinguishing the flame with a flick of his wrist. He stands then she takes his hands and dances with him. He keeps the dances short and sweet. Her parents and High Advisor Bersion come in to see what they are up to. “Is everything all right in here?” Marquises Esther asks when she sees her daughter dancing with Skreme instead of Mondre`. "We are fine, mother, father." Marinae says, folding her hands infront of her. “Are you having a good time?” Marques Bradin asks. “Yes, we are having a fantastic time.” Marinae says, beaming. “Good. I am glad.” Marquises Esther says, smiling. They leave the three alone. After ten more dances, Mondre` begins to feel tired. “We do not think we can dance any longer.” he says. “I understand, Your Majesty. May we go to the library?” she asks. “Of course.” he says. They walk to the library, where she describes all of the books she has ever read. They try to include Skreme in every conversation, but he would just grunt in response. The soldiers follow them everywhere. They spend the whole morning and afternoon escorting her around the palace, even the courtyard. Mondre` wonders who the intruders were while walking along the walkway. ‘Was it Debern? It couldn't have been him. He's an Avantra, isn't he? He would've been stopped.’ he thinks. Marinae sees him gazing with a troubled expression at the cobbled ground. “How many trophies does your father have?” she asks. He turns to her. “Hmmm? Oh, very many.” he says. “May I see?” she asks. “Yes. It is this way.” he says. They return to the palace, where he shows her the trophy rooms. She talks about what her father has then talks nonstop about sewing, clothes, shoes, flowers she liked, jewelry, her favorite foods, and more. By the fourth tone of the evening, she begins to bother Mondre`. He would start to walk away or speak with Skreme when she asks him what he is doing. He explains to her what he is doing then she asks him to show her a part of the palace she had not yet seen. "We are High Prince, you know. We can do what we wish." he says after listening to her question him. "Fantastic. This is going to end well." Skreme mutters and walks away from the two. They don't notice him leave with half of the escort. "Why do you not walk me to the east wing?" she asks. "Not at the moment. It is far too late." Mondre` says, walking down the corridor. She follows him. "Please come back, Your Majesty." she calls. Once out of sight, he sinks into the shadows. She comes into the hall then stops. "Your Majesty?" she asks, seeing no one there. "Your Majesty?" He runs through the walls. He stops and peeks out of a room wall. No one is there, so he steps out. Several other escort soldiers keep up with him. “Is there something wrong, Your Majesty?” a soldier asks. “She talks too much for our liking.” Mondre` says, moving down the corridor. “If you see her, do not tell her where we are.” “Yes, Your Majesty.” several soldiers say. Skreme finds him later that tone relaxing under his bed with his eyes closed. "Are you sleeping under there?" he asks, kneeling down to peek under. Mondre` opens his eyes. "We’re hiding." he whispers, scooting back. "From whom? Us?" Skreme asks. "From Marinae." "Oh." Skreme nods, a look of understanding on his face. He stands up and strides to the open door. "Oh, Daemon Marinae! We found him!" he hollers down the hall. "What are you doing?" Mondre` hisses, crawling out. "Are you hiding?" "Yes!" "Well, it seems to us you two are playing. It is a shame you did not invite us." “You are just angry because we did not go to the Tournaments.” “That is true.” Skreme says then looks out the door. "Ah and here comes the seeker." Mondre` fades into the shadows just in time. Marinae walks into the room. "Where is he?" she asks. "We may know where he is going." Skreme says. They stroll down the hall. All evening, Mondre` hides from them when he can. Skreme escorts Marinae, looking for him while she calls out his name. Other than that, she is mostly quiet, unlike when she was around Mondre`. 'She's not as horrible as I thought.’ Skreme thinks. He notices a movement by a doorway. He sees long blonde hair disappear through a wall. “He is over there!” he says, grabbing Marinae’s hand. They race into the next room. Mondre` runs past them. Skreme catches his arm. “Your Majesty!” Marinae exclaims, grabbing his hand. Mondre` grimaces then gives Skreme a sour look. Skreme smirks then sneaks out. Some time afterwards, he walks down a corridor with a dozen soldiers behind him. He has a pleased smile on his face. ‘He deserves it for agreeing with her. This worked well.’ he thinks pleasantly. Mondre` appears upside down in front of him. He jumps nearly six feet. "Don't do that!" he says angrily. "Where is Marinae?" Mondre` asks, landing on his feet. "We thought she was with you." Skreme says. Mondre` looks down the corridor. "No, she is not." he says. He goes to leave. "What are you doing?" Skreme asks. Mondre` gets a smile on his face. "We are going to play." he says. "What are you going to do?" Skreme asks. Mondre` shakes his head. "Never mind." he says. Skreme glares at him. "Tell us. We want to know." he says, following him. Mondre` knew he did. It was killing him inside to know what he was up to and he was going to use that. He crosses his arms. "If you swear you will not help her anymore, we will tell you." he says. Skreme mutters under his breath. Mondre` watches him fuss. "If you are not going to then go on." he says, turning away. "Fine. We swear we will not help her." Skreme says. "Excellent. Follow us. We will tell you on the way." Mondre` says. They move through the halls along with the guards. Mondre` tells Skreme what he wants to do. They find Marinae walking around the east south-eastern sentry tower, searching for Mondre`. While she isn't paying attention, the boys sneak up behind her, trying to remain concealed. Mondre` places a long-legged blue pond spider they found in the courtyard beside her. It's little claws click on the floor as it walks by her legs. She looks down at the noise. She sees it and screams, jumping onto a wall. The boys burst into fits of laughter while she catches her breath. "Why did you do that? That was horribly rude of you." she chides. She makes sure the spider is gone before she comes down. Skreme chuckles. "That is what we do." he replies. "Can we do something else instead?” she asks, straightening her dress. “What do you mean?” Mondre` asks. “I mean I would also like to go to the gardens. Maybe we can pick some flowers for mother." she says. The boys get blank expressions on their faces. They look to each other then howl with laughter. "What do you think we are, girls?" Skreme asks, doubled over with laughter. Marinae's cheeks become red with embarrassment. "It was a suggestion. You do not have to be so rude about it." she huffs. She stomps away, leaving them to their laughter. After dinner, the boys walk to their bedroom. Marinae was supposed to stay in a guestroom below Mondre`'s. Her parents were to stay in another guestroom beside hers. Mondre` and Skreme see servants bring in chests of clothes. They follow the servants up to the room. When the cousins come to the door, at first they think they have the wrong room. The whole room is entirely green and gold. Green drapes, green blankets, green carpet, gold bedposts, gold painted furniture, a golden fireplace. "We thought the Green Room was four doors down that way." Skreme says, pointing his thumb to his right. Marinae steps up behind them as Mondre` says. "Should we see if they have changed it?" 'I wonder if they can be scared.' she thinks. She reaches out and grabs their shoulders fast while shouting. "BWHAAA!" The boys scream like girls. They leap straight up to the ceiling and hit their heads. They fall down to land on their behinds. The servants in the room swivel around from the cries. Marinae drops to her knees. She is laughing so hard, tears are coming out of her eyes. “Ow, ow, ow, ow.” Mondre` hisses, rubbing his head. Skreme gets to his feet. "What was the reason for that?" he growls, a hand at the back of his head. She giggles up at him. "You mean what you did to me?" she asks with an innocent smile. “We did nothing of the sort to you.” he says. The servants return to what they were doing. "We are sorry we scared you." Mondre` says, standing. Marinae smiles. "There is no need to apologize, Your Majesty. I think what I did is good enough." she replies. She gets up and brushes her dress off. "Daemon Marinae, everything has been brought. Do you need anything else?" a servant asks behind her. "No. You may leave." she says. The servant bows then leaves the room, along with the others. She faces the princes with a serious expression. "I am going to bed now. You need to leave as well." she says. "Excuse you?" "By whose orders?" they ask. She gives them an evil look. Mondre` stops to reconsider. "Maybe we should leave." he says to Skreme. "That might be a good idea." Skreme says to him. They walk by her, stepping out of the room. She closes the door behind them. "One day here and she thinks she’s High Queen." Skreme mutters. "At least she's not staying here for long." Mondre` says. "That's true." Skreme says. They head down the corridor to the stairwell. Skreme catches sight of Everdron walking into the throne room. He pays him no heed. The two go up the stairs then down the hall to their room, where Hume and Iar wait. “Is everything all right, Your Majesties?” Iar asks, seeing their upset faces. “No. We were not able to go to the Tournaments. And the Marques’ daughter is ordering everyone around like she is our Auntie.” Skreme says angrily. Hume chuckles. “I am sorry to hear that, Your Majesty. Maybe Her Majesty is used to people listening to her at her home.” he suggests. Mondre` snorts. “This is our home. She will not be ordering us to do anything.” he says as Hume helps him change clothes. “Maybe she will learn, Your Majesties.” Hume says. “Ha!” Skreme laughs while Iar helps him. “She might. She talks and reads so much, we would not doubt it.” Mondre` says. “Did you not have a good time today?” Iar asks, trying to change the subject. He slides a sleeping shirt over Skreme’s head. “At first. Then we were attacked by someone. and she would not stop talking about everything.” Mondre` says. “And he would not stop helping her search for us.” “She is not so horrible.” Skreme says defensively after he reappears from under the shirt. “You do not have her stalking you.” Mondre` says, stepping into his sleeping pants. “If you were with her more often, she would not be stalking you in the first place.” Skreme retorts. “Are you defending her, Your Majesty?” Hume asks. “No! We are being logical.” Skreme says. “I understand, Your Majesty. It is time for bed.” Hume says. Mondre` lays down in his bed then Hume tucks him in. Iar tucks Skreme in then puts the candles out and they leave the room, the door closing behind them. The cousins fall to sleep, exhausted from the excitement of the day. Mondre` dreams of walking through Veud. Skreme, Ryuu, and Ashla are by his side, laughing and talking. Marinae appears infront of them, blocking their path. Her eyes widen when she sees the thieves. "You are in trouble now." she says with a cruel smile. "Yes, you are." a voice behind the four growls. Everdron stands behind them. His eyes bare into theirs. Mondre` moans, twisting in his bed then settles down. Skreme dreams of ruling his own dukedom. Everyone bows to him when he walks up to a golden throne with a jeweled crown on his head. He is dressed in elegant robes of silk and holds a bejeweled scepter. The citizens bestow grand gifts at his feet when he commands. He smiles in his sleep. Some time during the eleventh tone, Mondre` wakes up. He looks over to Skreme, but he is still fast asleep. 'I need a drink.' he thinks. He gets out of bed and walks out of the room, dragging his bare feet. He yawns as he goes downstairs. The portraits on the walls follow him with their eyes as he goes by. He crosses the wide corridor to the throne room door when a strange presence stops him. ‘What is that?’ he wonders. He creeps over to the door then reaches for the door handle. A sound inside makes him pause. He opens the door a crack and peeks in. Something thick moves in the middle of the room. It stands on four legs, grunting while four other shorter limbs stick out by it’s sides. It moves at an angle. It turns out to be two figures, struggling with something between them. The four short limbs are their elbows sticking out. A puddle is on the floor. Mondre` can see a liquid dripping off the object between them, which they slip and slide on. ‘What is going on?’ he wonders, his heart pounding in his chest. One figure wrestles the object away then plunges it into the other. The person cries in agony. Dark liquid spews everywhere, all over the attacker. Mondre` is frozen with fear. He can't breath. ‘What do I do? What do I do?’ he thinks in a panic. The person pushes the weapon deeper into the screaming person. ‘Move! Move!’ he orders his legs. He backs away then bolts up the two flights of stairs to his room. He runs over to Skreme’s bed and shakes him. “Skreme! Wake up!” he yells. Skreme groans and turns away. “Let me sleep.” he mumbles, covering his head with his pillow. Mondre` yanks the pillow away and hits him with it. “Someone's been murdered!” he hollers. “You had a bad dream.” Skreme says. “It was real. I can prove it." Mondre` says loudly. Skreme sits up. “What did you see?” he mumbles. “I saw two people in the throne room. They fought then….I can't explain. You need to come with me.” Mondre` says urgently, pulling on Skreme’s arm. “Fine. I'll come. But if you're lying, you're going to regret it.” Skreme threatens. Mondre` pulls him out of the room. The palace is silent. The two make their way down the first flight of stairs. They are coming to the next stairwell when Marinae’s door opens. Her head peeks out. She notices them standing there. “What is going on?” she asks in a whisper. “Stay here.” Skreme whispers. He follows Mondre` to the stairs. They move through the corridors as silent as possible. They come up to the throne room door. It is still ajar. The presence is still there. “What is that?” Skreme whispers. “I don't know. We should get High Advisor Everdron or High Advisor Bersion.” Mondre` whispers. “By the time we retrieve them, the person will be gone.” Skreme hisses. He opens the door further. Mondre` stands behind him. It is dark inside with strands of light coming in through the columns. They can see a figure kneeling over something on the floor. "What a fool." they say, chuckling. Mondre`’s breath leaves him. ‘That sounds like Everdron.’ he thinks. “What is it?” a voice asks behind him. The boys shout and swivel around, backing into the door. Marinae stands behind them. “Is that High Advisor Everdron?” she asks. Mondre` realizes what he had done. He turns back, along with Skreme. The door was wide open. The person stares at them with eyes that glow blue in the darkness. They can see the clothes the person wears. They are long robes similar to the High Advisors’. Their face can't be seen behind long black hair. The cousins stand stock still. Mondre` had never felt this scared except for when his parents found out about something bad. Marinae peeks out. The figure lifts an arm. "Run!" Mondre` manages to shout. They dash down a corridor as fast as they can, pulling Marinae with them. It sounds like someone is running after them. They speed up, running blindly through the palace. A lieutenant is walking their way down the hall when he sees them heading straight for him. He has a specific decoration above an L on his breastplate and his shoulders. It looks similar to a vine snaking around a hand reaching for the sky. The three plow into him when they come up. "What is going on?" he asks, taking off his helmet. His brown hair is a mess and his blue eyes are wide from the surprise. The three start telling him what happened all at once. "I walked out of my room and..." “….he told me someone was murdered….” ".......Marinae came out...." "We saw someone in the throne room.…" "Hold it!" he yells over them. They quiet down. Marinae is in tears. She shakes like a leaf in a strong wind. "It is all right, Milady. You are safe now." Lieutenant Ivinin says gently. “Tell me what happened.” “I woke up and left my room to get something to drink when I saw someone in the throne room get attacked.” Mondre` says shakily. "He woke me, so I left with him to find out what was going on." Skreme says. "I went with them." Marinae says then sniffles. "We didn't know she followed us. We saw a person in the throne room standing over something. He had glowing blue eyes." Mondre` says. "Then she startled us." Skreme mumbles, nodding to the weeping girl. "The person saw us and was about to fire. So we ran." Mondre` says. "Check the throne room, quick!" Marinae orders in a panicked voice. She has her hands clasped together infront of her mouth. Skreme rolls his eyes. Ivinin bows. "Yes, Your Majesty." he replies. He walks down the hall with the three following close behind. The door they ran out of is wide open. The lieutenant steps in, clasping his sword hilt tight, and scans the room. He notices a figure kneeling over a lump on the floor. The person looks up to see the four gazing at him. He stands and raises a hand. Ivinin unsheathes his sword and holds it out, ready. A glowing orb appears in the air, lighting the room. Everdron narrows his eyes when he sees the Royals standing with Ivinin. “High Advisor Everdron!” Ivinin gasps. He sheathes his sword and bows his head, saluting. "What are you doing here? Return to your rooms immediately." Everdron growls, glaring at the teenagers behind the lieutenant. "But..." Mondre` begins. "Return to your rooms!" Everdron orders. Marinae notices him sweep his robes across the floor. She looks down at a dark dried up hand that lays out from underneath. Terror washes through her, making her emit a blood curdling scream. It bounces off the walls and rattles the windows. She faints on the floor. Mondre` kneels down and shakes her. "Marinae? Marinae?" he says. Ivinin notices the hand sticking out from under Everdron's robes. "What are you hiding, High Advisor?" he asks. Everdron looks to the two boys and the fainted girl. "They need to leave." he says. Ivinin eyes the hand then looks back to Everdron. "Show us." he says, gripping his sword hilt tight. Everdron looks back to the Royals then moves his robes away. A dried up corpse lays on the floor. It's eyesockets and mouth are wide open with terror. The armor it wears glints in the moonlight. A stab wound the length of a hand is in the center. No blood covers it. An L marks the front then a ring of thorns is beside it. ‘That mark. Isn't that the soldier Everdron spoke to before?' Mondre` wonders. Marinae's parents, High Advisor Bersion, and several soldiers and servants rush in. "Who screamed?" Marques Bradin asks. He sees his daughter on the ground with Mondre` over her. He runs to them. "Is she all right?" "Yes. She only fainted." Mondre` says, getting up. Marques Bradin picks her up as Marquises Esther hurries up beside him. "Marinae? Wake up, dear." she says softly, stroking her daughter‘s hair. Marinae shifts then moans. "What happened here?" Bersion asks, noticing the corpse. "I heard a shout and hurried here as soon as I could. I arrived in time to see the murderer run out that door." Everdron says. He nods his head to the door everyone arrived through. The soldiers run off to investigate. "You must have only just arrived then, sir. Their Majesties informed me they saw someone standing where you are now only a few ticks ago." Ivinin replies. Bersion looks from him to Everdron, who gives the boys a fierce look. "Who did you see?" Everdron asks. “Mondre` saw them.” Skreme says quickly. “We could not see them too well.” Mondre` says, knowing he had to be formal with the advisors. "Return to your room. I will have a talk with you before your parents arrive tomorrow." Bersion says. "What of Marinae?" Mondre` asks. "I will take her to our room." Marques Bradin says. "Very well then. I will clean up here." Everdron says. He moves a hand toward the body. "I am sorry, Advisor. But I will have to ask you to accompany us." Bersion says, stopping him. He seems surprised. "For what reason?" he asks. "I wish to ask you a few questions." Bersion says. He turns to Ivinin. "I will speak with you shortly, Lieutenant. Meet me in the Royal study." he says. Ivinin bows low. "Yes, my Lord." he says. He bows to the other Royals then strides out of the room. Bersion faces Marques Bradin and Marquises Esther. "We will escort you to your daughter's room." he says. Marques Bradin carries his daughter back to the stairwell, followed by his wife. Mondre`, Skreme, Everdron, and Bersion follow in silence along with the soldiers. The boys make sure to stay close to Bersion. Everdron looks very unhappy as he walks behind them. Marques Bradin climbs the stairs and walks to the guest room they were staying in. He places her in the bed. Marquises Esther sits beside her, trying to wake her. Marques Bradin steps out. “What is going on, High Advisors?” he says. “We do not know as of this moment, Marques. We will inform you when we find anything out.” Bersion says. He signals to a wall. A guard steps out. "Keep an extra watch over the Marques‘ family." he orders. The guard salutes then sinks back into the wall. Marques Bradin walks back to his room and shuts the door. The rest head upstairs to the princes' room. Once there, the boys hurry to the doorway. Everdron stands at the edge of the stairs, arms folded in his sleeves. "Sleep now, Your Majesties. You need your rest." Bersion says. They nod and close the door. They put their ears to the wood. A new pair of footsteps can be heard. “Come with me.” Bersion says. They listen as three pairs of footsteps walk away. Skreme swivels around to face Mondre`. "Everdron did it. You heard him." he whispers harshly. Mondre` scratches the back of his head, unsure about what had just occurred. It had been Everdron‘s voice. But there was something strange. "It didn't seem like Everdron." he mumbles out loud. "You have to be joking. You were there! You saw him killing that soldier. We heard him. And I watched him go in there before we went to sleep!" Skreme shouts. "Shhhhhhhh!" Mondre` hisses, eyeing the door. "Don't 'Shhhhhhhh!' me!" Skreme snaps, though he uses a softer voice. He stomps to his bed and lays down on it, placing the covers over his head. Mondre` walks to his bed. He lays down, but he is afraid to close his eyes. He listens to the noises outside the window. So many thoughts run through his head while he ponders on what he witnessed then looks to Skreme. "Skreme?" he calls in a whisper. "Yes?" Skreme mumbles. "What if it was Everdron?" Skreme can be heard sighing. "Then we're in trouble." he replies. Mondre` gets a chill from the sound of his voice. "Should we tell our parents?" he asks softly. "I'm going to." Skreme says. "What do you think Everdron will say tomorrow?" "What I would like to know is what Princess will do." Mondre` smirks a bit. "We'll be able to scare her better now." he says. Skreme chuckles then yawns. "We need to sleep. I can only imagine what will happen tomorrow." he mutters. "I'll stay up a little longer." Mondre` says. "All right." Skreme says and yawns again. Soon, Mondre` hears his steady breathing coming from his side of the room. He takes a deep breath then looks to the balcony window. Clouds cover the moons and stars. Animals call to each other in the dark. Voices drift through the air, cheery to the ears. That makes him think of the guild. ‘I wonder what they're up to.’ he thinks. He blinks, his eyelids feeling heavy. He tries to stay awake by rubbing them. He didn't want to sleep. He stretches then looks around the room. Light that comes in hits the door and wall. The rest is all dark, with shadows black compared to the walls. 'Would Everdron do that? He's never done anything that would've had him be suspected of something like that.' he thinks. His eyes feel heavier. 'Maybe it was....someone....else.' His eyelids close on their own. Bersion, Everdron, Ivinin, and another soldier stand around a desk in the second study. A single candle is lit, filling the room with soft light. Bersion sits behind the desk while Everdron stands beside it. “What happened?” Everdron asks. “We were scheduled to change shifts at the fifteen ticks to the eleventh tone. We had been ordered to wait five turns before we were to travel. When we arrived, Their Majesties were gone.” the soldier says. Bersion faces Ivinin. “Then what happened?” he asks. "The princes and the Marques’ daughter ran up and started ranting about what they saw. I had to calm them down before I could let them explain." Ivinin explains, standing infront of the desk. "What did they say?" Bersion asks. "They said High Prince Mondre` witnessed someone get attacked by another person. He woke the Prince of Klohmoi and they went back. They discovered the person standing over the body. And they described him as having glowing blue eyes." Ivinin replies. Everdron gazes at the candle, listening to him. 'The intruder stole the High King's gift as well.' he thinks. Bersion sees a frown make it's way across his face. "I think we should keep quiet about this." he says. Everdron faces him. "The High King needs to be informed of this." he says. Bersion holds up a hand. "Until the High King returns." he finishes. "What of Their Majesties?" Ivinin asks. "I will talk with them tomorrow. Now, if you do not mind, Lieutenant." Bersion says, holding a hand to the door. "And the body?" Ivinin asks. "Take it to Tauva and have her examine it." Everdron orders. Ivinin salutes. "Yes, High Advisor." he says. Both he and the soldier stride out the door. Once it closes, Bersion looks down at the papers on the desk. “The High Prince might be traumatized after this.” he says then shakes his head. "How could someone get into the palace without alerting the guards? It is almost as if they walked in." "I will see to it that this murderer is found." Everdron says, hurrying to the door. Bersion sits up to stop him, but Everdron is already gone. He sighs and sits back in his seat.

Copyright 2007

Sabotage - Chapter Six

2010-05-23T09:47:00.000-04:00

Chapter Six

Everdron walks around the dreary courtyard. Soldiers run about, searching the bushes, trees, statues, anywhere they suspected something could hide. The creatures had made their way outside while knocking over guards in their attempt to get at one another. They had rolled off into the hedges and now were not to be found. A soldier found two little figurines in the shape of the creatures. Everyone checks to make sure they are gone. But Everdron knew the truth. A soldier runs up, his helmet dripping under one arm. "Lord Everdron." he says, placing his right hand on his left shoulder in a salute. "What is it?" Everdron asks. "We have found nothing, sir. Should we search the outside of the wall?" the soldier says. Bersion walks up, chuckling. "Do not bother." he says then looks to Everdron. "I suppose they have fooled us once again." Everdron becomes grim faced. 'Those two shall be dealt with when I...' A sudden feeling that would have made him quiver comes over him. Bersion and the soldier seem to notice the same thing. "What is that, my Lords?" the soldier asks, looking to the palace. The presence fades away. Everdron comes to his senses. "I believe an intruder has arrived." he says, facing Bersion. "I would have to agree." Bersion says, now straight faced. "Gather everyone and search the palace, captain. Have some units follow me." "Yes sir." the soldier says, saluting again. He takes a deep breath. "All units, to and through the palace!" he bellows. His voice bounces off the walls. It passes through the entire courtyard to every soldier on the grounds. Everdron grimaces and rubs an ear. "I will meet you inside." he says then travels. He appears in the study. It is, expectantly, empty. He sighs with frustration and rushes out the door. Once everything is solid in the armory, Debern lets go of Ryuu and checks his hand. "Something wrong?" Mondre` asks. "No. Everything is fine." Debern replies, flexing his hand. Skreme gestures for them to follow. They walk to the door, passing the usual assortment of armor and weaponry. He tries the door. It is locked again. "Let the Great Ryuu..." "I'll do it this time." Skreme interrupts. He taps the door handle once then turns it. The door opens without a sound. Ryuu opens his mouth to say something then frowns. Ashla pats his shoulder. "You can do the next one." she says. Skreme peeks out the door then signals all is clear. They stay close to the walls as the two escort them to the dining hall. Debern gazes around with wonder. They peek into a corridor to see soldiers running in the same direction they were heading. They have to wait. Once clear, they sneak down the hall to the door of the throne room. Mondre` opens it a crack. Ashla turns then points to the Lodestone room. Debern sees it there. “May we check that room?” he asks. “No one can get into that room.” Skreme says. Mondre` closes the door. "It is occupied." he whispers. "By who?" Skreme asks. "Only farmers." Mondre` replies. "I think we all appear to be servants. Maybe we can go in." Ashla whispers. Mondre` doesn't feel too sure. "I think we should go somewhere else until they leave." he suggests. "Please? I have not seen the throne room yet." she begs. "That wouldn't be a good idea." Mondre` says. "Then I will go in alone." she says, opening the door. "No, wait!" Mondre` hisses, grabbing for her. "Come, please?" she says, catching his hand. She pulls him out into the room. The rest of the group look to each other then Ryuu creeps out. Skreme sees Debern staring at the Lodestone doors. “Are you coming?” he asks. Debern turns back to him. “Yes, of course.” he says. He steps out with Skreme behind him. Ashla gazes around the huge room. She had been unable to do so last night. The farmers turn when they hear their footsteps. "Young man." one farmer says. The three teenage boys and Debern point to themselves. "You." the farmer says, pointing to Debern. "Where is High Advisor Everdron?" "Everdron? He is here?" Debern asks. "High Advisor Everdron is busy with a little problem." Skreme says. Mondre` can not help smiling. The farmer looks bothered by this bit of news. "Tell him Kolby’s here when you find him." he says. "Yes sir." Mondre` says. He and the others hurry to the dining hall. They open the door. Ashla and Ryuu are awed, but not as much as the throne room. "This is huge." Ryuu whispers. Ashla walks over and rubs her fingers over the wood of the long elegant dining room table. A small smile makes it's way across her face. Everdron turns a corner, heading to the throne room. He and his soldiers had scoured the area for the intruder or intruders and for the princes. Nothing could be found of either. He was becoming very concerned. He comes to the throne room door, but stops when he hears voices. He thrusts the door open, expecting to see the princes standing there, talking to each other about their next grand plan. Instead, a small group of farmers stand in the middle of the room. The oldest looks over to see him come in. "High Advisor Everdron. I just asked one of the servants to look for you." he says. “I'm here to talk to you about the Conargans.” Everdron is not paying attention. He feels an unusual presence. "Who was in here with you?" he asks. The farmer looks confused and nervous. "Only us. A young man and four teenagers came in, if that is what you mean, my Lord. They went that way." another farmer answers, gesturing to the dining room mirror door. "Where is the kitchen?" Ryuu asks. "The door over there." Mondre` says, pointing. Ryuu walks to the kitchen. A bellowing occurs outside. "Everdron!" the princes hiss. The four run to the kitchen door, shoving Ryuu through and fall over. They get up as footsteps come closer. "This way!" Mondre` whispers urgently. They follow him. Everdron steps into the dining hall to see the kitchen door swing closed. He rushes to it. The five dash through the kitchen. Several servants have to step aside for them. Tino looks up in time to see the five coming. He dodges out of the way then watches them turn to another door. ‘Was that Ryuu?’ he wonders. They run out then stop in a corridor. "Hurry!" Mondre` hisses, holding out his hands. Everdron runs out of the kitchen to find no one in the hall. The five appear in the guild a tick later. Debern releases Mondre`'s shoulder as if he had been stung. Mondre` feels a burning sensation on his shoulder. He winces, rubbing it. "What's wrong?" Ryuu asks, noticing Debern‘s reaction. He breathes hard, trying to calm down from the fright. "Nothing. I am fine. Just a stomach ache from the run." Debern says, placing his hands behind his back. "We have to go." Skreme says. He and Mondre` disappear in the blink of an eye. "I hope they don't get in trouble for showing us." Ryuu says. Ashla walks him to the bar. "They will be fine. I am sure of it." she says. Debern looks down at his hand. It is red and sizzling as if hot. He clenches his hand, wincing from the pain. 'Those two are not ordinary Diabolics.' he thinks. The princes appear in their room. They hear multiple footsteps stomping up the stairs. Mondre` runs over and slides a game of Summon the War out from under his bed. They put as many white and red glass pieces on it, leaving a few on the floor. Everdron swings open the door with a full escort of soldiers. "Your Majesties?!" he snarls. The two look up, astonished by the sudden intrusion. "What is it, Advisor Everdron?" Mondre` asks, sitting up straight. Everdron notices their clothes. "Where have you been?" he snaps. "Watch your tone, Advisor." Skreme says, narrowing his eyes. Everdron looks like he is going to snap at them again. He manages to settle down enough to speak in a calmer voice. "Where have you been, my Lords?" he asks stiffly. "We were planning a strategy until you arrived." Mondre` says, looking over Skreme’s game pieces then moves his piece. "Why? Is there something wrong?" "I believe someone is or was recently in the palace." Everdron says. "Who?" Mondre` asks, standing up. "I am not sure. I do not want you to wander anywhere without a visible escort from now on." Everdron says strictly. "Why?" Skreme asks. "Your fathers would not approve if anything happened to you. This escort will accompany you for now until another is assigned." Everdron says, walking to the door. He stops and turns. "And I believe the creatures you summoned, Your Majesties, have shrunk." he says. He holds up the two figurines. ‘He did find out.’ Mondre` thinks worriedly. "Oh. Well, it was an accident, so it could be possible they would not last long." he replies hesitantly. Everdron does not look like he buys it, observing what they are wearing. Mondre` and Skreme try not to notice. "Of course, Your Majesty. I shall fetch Hume." he says anyway, clasping the figurines. He bows then walks out. Mondre` sighs. "No more friends over." Skreme says to Mondre`. "Not for a while." Mondre` agrees with him. Hume comes in moments later and sees their clothes. “Where did you get those, Your Majesties?” he asks. “We discovered these in our laundry. We decided we might try them on. They fit quite well.” Skreme says offhandedly. Hume looks to their dresser drawers then back to them. “I will make sure it does not happen again.” he says. He helps them change their clothes then takes the wool clothes away. The princes, now in their silk outfits, walk out of the bedroom with the escort following close behind. They make their way to the red ballroom, where they practice wielding their auras. The soldiers stand along the walls, keeping their sight on the boys. Someone steps inside from one of the glass doors, dripping wet. He starts when he sees the guards. “Oh, excuse me.” he says. The guard closest to him gives a slight nod. The wet clothed person notices the boys in the middle of the room. "Good evening, young Majesties. How are you today?" he asks with a kind smile. "Good evening, Belphabas. We are very well, thank you." Mondre` says, bending a bolt of electricity into a bow. "I have heard you have been getting into some trouble. What have you been doing?" Belphabas asks, shaking water from his sleeves. "We have not been doing anything. Only practicing." Skreme says innocently. "What sort of new ideas have you thought of?" Mondre` asks, pulling the bottom strands of the electrical bow. It bursts into a cloud of sparks then vanishes. "I have not yet, Your Majesty. I am resting right now. Enjoying the day." Belphabas replies. "But it is raining." Skreme says flatly. "All the more reason to wander the grounds. I have not felt a good rain in a long time." Belphabas says as he wipes the water from his face. "You should enjoy it while you can." Mondre` says. "That is an excellent idea. I shall. Thank you, Your Majesty." he says then bows his head. "Good day to you both." He heads to the door when lightning flashes. He stops then tilts his head. "That might be it." he mumbles. "What is?" Mondre` asks. Belphabas looks to him then smiles. "I will show you when I am able to finish, Your Majesty." he says. He walks out, leaving a trail of water after him. A soldier swings a hand to the door Belphabas left open. The water on the floor is grabbed by his reddish orange-purple aura and slides back outside. The door closes on it‘s own. "He is truly mad." Skreme mutters under his breath. "His ideas are interesting." Mondre` says. "They are. He is just mad." Skreme says. They return to practicing. As the thunder rolls overhead, Mondre`'s shoulder itches horribly. He scratches at it then winces. "Is something wrong?" Skreme asks, dispersing a vibrating spike of his aura. Mondre` scratches some more. "Our shoulder hurts." he mumbles. He checks his shoulder. It is in the shape of a red handprint and is covered in welts. "Isn't that where Debern touched you?" Skreme asks him. Mondre` nods, examining it. "It really hurts. Should we tell Everdron?" he asks. "No." Skreme says. "Is something the matter, Your Majesties?" a guard asks, stepping forward. "We are fine. Mondre` was in the garden earlier and something fell on his shoulder and burned him." Skreme says. "We will have Tauva take care of it." “Yes, Your Majesty.” the soldier says. "But she will tell Everdron." Mondre` tells him. "We will tell her the same." Skreme says to him as they begin to walk out. "Once she sees it, she'll know it wasn't from a plant." Mondre` says to him. "It's better than explaining to her what actually happened." Skreme says to him. So they all head to the alchemist's lab down by the dungeons. They arrive infront a door at the lowest part of the palace. Moans of pain and agony come from within. Mondre` gets a chill down his spine. "Remain here." Skreme orders the escort. "We were ordered to accompany you." "Lady Tauvanuki will be with us. We will not be in any danger." Skreme says. He grabs the door handle and twists. It opens with a heavy croak. They step inside, leaving the escort there. A long tunnel stretches out before them. They make their way past several cell doors. “Ah, young Mondre`. Young Skreme. Have you returned to see me?” The sweet voice comes from a woman with parts of her face covered by her long white highlighted blonde hair. She sits in a dark cell, gazing at them with blue eyes that seem to glow with their own light. She has no aura, but she has something about her that seems wrong. “Not today, Lubomira. We are here for something else.” Mondre` says. The Avantran woman gives them a snide smile. “Maybe some other time then.” she says. The boys walk away, passing three more cell doors. They take a left to a brightly lit room. It is perfumed with the scent of lavender and lilies. Roots, herbs, bottles, and more hang from the rafters, swaying in a breeze that isn't there. "Tauva?" Skreme calls. The sound of a cloth moving informs them someone is in the back. A woman in a thin white and red dress with aqua trimming steps out. She smiles a friendly smile when she sees the two. "Greetings, Your Majesties. What brings you lovelies here?" she asks politely. One of her eyes are blue and the other is purple. Her aura is a light pink. “Hello, Madam Tauva.” Mondre` says. "We need your help." Skreme says. He pulls Mondre` up to show her the burn mark on his shoulder. She walks over to inspect it. "How did this happen?" she asks, gently touching it. Mondre` tenses from the pain. She moves her hand away. "Sorry, dear." she says. "We were in the garden and a spitting flower squirted a liquid on him." Skreme says. She gets a clever smile. "Are you sure that is what occurred?" she asks. Skreme stands tall. "Yes. Quite sure. Why?" he asks. She returns to examining the injury. "This looks like many burns I have seen from soldiers who have come into contact with Avantras and Unicorns." she explains. "You mean we have been touched by an Avantra? How could...?" Mondre` cuts himself off. Tauva gazes at him. "What is it, Your Majesty?" she asks. "It is nothing. Can you get rid of it?" Mondre` asks. She puzzles over the burn, brushing away a strand of long black hair, then walks to the back. "I may have something." she says. She leaves them alone for a bit. They wait for her to return. "Could it have been Debern?" Mondre` whispers. "Shhhhhh!" Skreme hisses, eyeing the curtains. Mondre` becomes quiet. She returns with a bottle of salve. She opens the top and dips a long fingernail in. A creamy white salve covers her fingertip. She rubs it on the rash. It cools the itching and shrinks the welts, relieving Mondre` of the pain. "Thank you very much, Miss Tauva." he says. She closes the bottle. "You are most welcome, Your Majesty. But please, tell me something. Who is this Debern?" she asks. Skreme gives Mondre` a foul look then says. "He is someone we met while journeying through the city." Tauva tilts her head. "Where, may I ask?" she says, placing the bottle on a table. "Somewhere. You do not need to pry." Skreme says. Tauva lowers her gaze and curtsies. "My apologies, Your Majesty. I am only concerned for your safety." she replies. "Thank you, but there is no need to worry. We can take care of ourselves." Mondre` says. "Of course, Your Majesty." Tauva says. "Come." Skreme says. He walks back to the door. "Thank you again, Miss Tauva." Mondre` says. He walks out into the dungeons with Skreme. They meet Belphabas on the way out. "Excuse me, Your Majesties." he says, letting them go by. He steps inside to see Tauva standing there. "Is something the matter?" he asks. She picks up the bottle of salve. "Young Lord Mondre` came in with an Avantran burn. But they will not tell me how he received it." she says. "They get into so much trouble." he says. "They will never learn." she agrees with a worried smile. “Are you going to inform High Advisor Bersion?” he asks. She thinks about it. “The burn is gone. I have no proof it happened. And they will not admit to it. Hopefully, this will not happen again.” she says.

Copyright 2007

Sabotage - Chapter Five

2010-05-16T11:05:00.000-04:00

Chapter Five

The next morning, Mondre` and Skreme drag their feet to the dining hall, half asleep. The dining room bay windows show the gray sky outside. Rain drizzles down in sheets. Lightning flashes then thunder roars, rattling the glass. They sit at the dining room table and wait for their breakfast to come. Skreme lays his head on the table with a thud. Mondre` rests his chin on his palm and yawns. “We should never bring them that late ever again.” Skreme mutters to him. Mondre` silently agrees. 'But we're not able to show them in the day.’ he thinks then pauses. ‘Or can we?’ "Where's Everdron and Bersion?" he asks. Skreme waves a hand in the air. "Around." he replies sleepily. Mondre` taps his fingers on the table, watching lightning streak the sky. “Maybe we can bring Ryuu and Ashla from the guild and show them around again.” he says. Skreme glares at him from under his long bangs. There are dark circles under his eyes. “What?” he asks him flatly. “I said we can bring Ryuu and Ashla from the guild and show them around again.” Mondre` repeats to him in private. “Why?” Skreme asks him. “It was just a thought. Since you don’t want to get up late to show them next time.” Mondre` says to him. Skreme's left eyebrow twitches. “Must we? I mean, they are peasants, let along thieves, after all. They’re not supposed to see all of the palace.” he points out to him. Mondre` understands his concern. But he liked having friends, even if they weren't really supposed to be there. He tries to think of something he couldn't argue with. “We won’t show them everything. We’ll watch them.” he says to him then blurts out. “Besides, we owe them.” Skreme seems to be surprised. "Oh?" Mondre` thinks of how to explain. “Ryuu saved us from the guards. He helped us while the guards were chasing us.” “I wouldn’t call dumping us in sludge helping anyone.” Skreme interrupts him. Mondre` continues. “He brought us to the guild. Ashla had a bath prepared for us/ They gave us food. And they’ve become our friends. We Royals keep our promises.” he finishes telling him. “They’re not my friends. And I promised them nothing. You did.” Skreme says to him. “I thought Ashla was a friend?” Mondre` asks him. Skreme's cheeks flush red. “Well, she’s not.” he huffs at him. He swivels to face the kitchen door. "Where is our breakfast!?" Mondre` smirks, knowing he would at least consider it. Servants walk out with plates of food. "Please forgive us, Your Majesties." one says, curtseying. “You are forgiven. Only bring it out soon after we come in.” Mondre` suggests. “Yes, Your Majesty.” the other says with a bow of her head. They place the plates down, curtsey again then leave the room. The boys eat and try not to fall asleep in their food, saying nothing more of the subject. The rain hammers at the glass outside while the wind howls. They finish their meals then stride to the study, not in the mood to run off. They open the study door to find it empty. "They must be busy to miss our lessons." Mondre` says. “This would be a great opportunity to leave.” Skreme plops down into a stuffed leather seat. "Perhaps later." he says. Mondre` sits in another chair. He grabs one of the books they were supposed to study and flips through the pages when he stops. "Where do you think the Advisors are?" he asks. "Too tired to think." Skreme mutters, sinking in his chair. Mondre` checks the time then returns to skimming through the book. In just a few minutes, the door opens. Lightning flashes when Everdron steps in. Mondre` stares up at the Advisor with wide eyes. "That was strange." he says to Skreme. Everdron sees them gazing at him from the chairs. "Good. We can get started then." he says. At the same time, thunder roars overhead. Mondre` looks to Skreme, who looks back. "Very strange." Skreme says to him. Everdron notices the way they react. He frowns as he walks up to the bookshelves. "We will start with history." he says, grabbing a book. The boys whine. "Since your parents will be arriving soon, we will talk of them." he continues. Skreme groans. Mondre` sighs, which is more of a hiss of irritation. He loved their parents. But he didn't want to hear every little detail of their lives. "High Lord Gothron...." Skreme raises a hand. Everdron notices. "Yes, Your Majesty?" "Who is the princess we are supposed to meet tomorrow?" Skreme asks, lowering his hand. Everdron places a bookmark attached to the book between the pages then snaps it shut. "Daemon Marinae is daughter to Daemon Marques Bradin of Haeltin and Daemon Marquises Esther of Uatha, may Daemon bless them. Daemon Marques Bradin ceased the Troll and Ogre Squabble that nearly destroyed the city of Mainat four centuries ago. He was offered aid by Daemon High King Gothron and Daemon King Yorroe, may Daemon bless them. But he wished to go on his own. He was able to halt the quarrels before the citizens were killed. Not a single drop of Demon blood was spilt. He also aided in the return of the High King to his throne from the Lord of Kekkar....." Mondre` feels his eyelids get heavy. He rubs his face to keep himself awake. 'He's not going to stop unless I say something.' he thinks. He wonders what he should say. "High Advisor?" he asks, raising his hand. Everdron stops talking. He looks a little put out at being interrupted for a second time. "Yes, Your Majesty?" he asks. "We know why the Avantras are fighting us. But why are the Dragons? Were they not peaceful before the war?" Mondre` asks. "Yes. They were peaceful before the Battle of Tears. Some suspect they are afraid either the Avantras or the Daemoniacs will attack them after the war is over. Others suspect they wish to defeat both sides to conquer all of Varnuc." Everdron goes on and on about the war, forgetting about what he originally was going to talk about. Mondre` and Skreme listen and take notes, always curious about the war. By midday, he had described most of the subject. The rain had become a torrent of water outside. The wind rattles the windows and lightning flashes across the sky. Skreme raises his hand again. "Yes, Your Majesty?" Everdron asks, seeming more calm than he had been that morning. "May we have luncheon now?" Skreme asks. Everdron realizes the time after a glance at the alchemic time keeper on the wall. The rod was now between the first and second ball. "Yes, you may, Your Majesties." he says. The boys get up and walk out the door. "That was close. Excellent work changing the subject." Skreme says. Mondre` stretches, stiff from being in the chair for so long. "Thank you." he says, clasping his hands behind his back. They eat then return to the study for the rest of their lessons. Everdron teaches them some fencing in the practice room, literature, which they grumble at, piano, and arithmetic. They finish early and dash out the study. Everdron goes to close the door when two servants from the kitchen step up. “Lord Everdron? Lord Bersion told us to come see you about something.” one servant girl says. “What about?” Everdron asks, not interested in what they had to say. The girl looks to her feet, clasping her hands in front of her. “We heard the princes mention something when they were in the dining room this morning.” she says. He opens the door further, paying attention now. “What did they say?” he asks. The princes stop running and stride down one of the many halls. "When do you think we can return to the guild?" Mondre` asks. "Why do you keep talking about it? It's not interesting anymore." Skreme says. "It is too. It's the only place I can go where I can be like everyone else." Mondre` says. "Why would you want to be like everyone else?” Skreme asks. "I'm tired of people bowing to me whenever I walk by and treating me as if I'll burn them to cinders if they anger me." Mondre` replies. "I don't mind." Skreme says, smiling proudly. "I know you don't." Mondre` says. "Besides, there's nothing to do." Skreme seems to consider on what they should do. "I suppose we could go. We need to distract Everdron and Bersion though." he says. Mondre` ponders on what to do. Skreme looks to a row of windows then furrows his brows. After a moment, he snaps his fingers. "I have it!" They run back to the study. Everdron stands by the fireplace, reading a thick tome. He looks up to see the boys breathing hard. "High Advisor Everdron! Thank Daemon!" Skreme cries, catching his breath. "What is it, Your Majesties?" Everdron asks, closing the book. "We believe we saw a gnome spy sneaking through the courtyard." Skreme says, taking a gulp of air. "Is that so?" Everdron asks. The cousins nod. "Yes. We would recognize a gnome a mile away." Skreme replies. Everdron makes a soft snort of disinterest. "Is it true you let someone into the palace last night, Your Majesties?" he asks. Skreme is confused. "No. We did not." Mondre` says. "And what is this about a guild?" Everdron asks. "It was a game we created. We have the servant children playing along." Mondre` says. "But Skreme does not like playing with them anymore." Everdron looks like he agrees. "You should not have to play with servants. They have no use except to follow orders. Do you understand, Your Majesty?" he says. "Yes." Mondre` says. "Run along then." Everdron says. They walk out. "That didn't go well." Skreme says to Mondre`. "We need to find some other way to leave." Mondre` mutters to him. “Maybe we can play Summon The War until we find a way.” Skreme stops and looks to him with a look of realization on his face. “What is it?” Mondre` asks, puzzled by his expression. A clever smirk crosses Skreme‘s face. “Shall we play Summon the War?” he asks. Mondre` understands and smiles. “Why, yes. I think I'll win this time.” he says. “No, I will win.” “I will.” They hurry off. Everdron continues to read by the mantle, turning a page every once in a while. This was one of the only times he could. He was far too busy the rest of the time. The door flies open. It is Their Majesties again. "High Advisor, it is horrible!" "We were practicing when we accidentally summoned two animals!" "And they are destroying the blue ballroom!" they yell. At the same time, he hears the secret escort soldiers say. "There is something in the ballroom wreaking havoc. We are trying to stop them, but we need your aid." "Stay here." he orders. He rushes out the door, bellowing for more sentries. Skreme stops panting. "That was so easy, it's sad." he says. Mondre` grins. "Let's hurry." he says. They go to their room, hearing crashing noises behind them. They change to their plain clothes then travel. They appear in the alleyway beside the tavern. Mondre` runs ahead of Skreme to the front door to get out of the rain. He steps through the doorway and bumps into a young man, causing the person to stumble. "Oh, excuse me, young sir." the person says politely. Mondre` notices he has a strange accent. His blonde hair is short with white highlights and blue eyes that seem to radiate their own light. He wears a long traveling cloak, cream colored tunic underneath, matching pants, and brown traveling boots. He has a traveling pack over one shoulder. He has a cheerful smile and no aura to him, but something about him makes Mondre`'s skin crawl. He refrains from shuddering. "It's fine. It was my fault." he says. "I have not seen you around here. Are you new?" the young man says. "Yes. My name is Andre`." "My name is Ream." the boys reply. The man tilts his head, seeming confused about something. He smiles a wary smile. "Where are you from?" he asks. "We're servants of the palace." Mondre` says. "Really? What are servants of the palace doing here?" the man asks, shifting the pack strap onto his shoulder better. "We're visiting someone." Mondre` says. Skreme was looking the man up and down. "Who are your friends?" the man asks. "Just some locals." Skreme says. "Greetings all!" they hear. Ashla runs up. "Oh. Good afternoon, Debern. Are you here for Jaran?" she asks. "Yes Ma'am. Do you happen to know where he is?" the man named Debern asks. "He is gambling in the back." she replies. "Thank you very much, Miss Ashla. It is nice to have met you both. I hope we see each other soon." he says to the boys then walks to the back. He disappears behind a door. "Who was he?" Skreme asks. "Debern? He is a friend of Jaran's. He comes every month or so." she replies. “Where's Ryuu?” Mondre` asks, noticing Ryuu is nowhere to be seen. "He is still asleep." she says. "Still asleep?" Skreme asks, unable to believe it. "He remained awake after you brought us home. I think he was upset about High Advisor Viscount Everdron. He fell asleep some time during the sixth morning tone." she says. "You need to go wake him. We don't have much time." Skreme says. "All right." she says. She walks past the tables to the door next to the one Debern walked through. “Quit telling everyone what to do. She's not a servant.” Mondre` says. “They serve us. It's all the same.” Skreme says thoughtlessly. They stand by the door, watching people walk in, dripping wet, and stumble out while whispering amongst each other. Water drips from the rooftops onto the doorstep. “Do you think they'll find out how we did it?” Mondre` asks. “Maybe. Maybe not. Bersion will tell us after Everdron stops yelling.” Skreme says. Ashla comes back a moment later. "He is getting dressed." she says. "We have to hurry. If Master Everdron and Master Bersion find out what we're doing, they're going to kill us." Skreme says. Ashla gasps. "What did you do wrong?" she asks. He is puzzled by her reaction then shakes his head. "They're not literally going to kill us. They're just going to punish us if they figure out we let creatures into the palace." he says. "Oh. Why?" she says. "Because we wanted to get out." he says. "Oh." she says. Ryuu walks up to them, slipping on a tunic and yawning loudly. "What's going on?" he asks sleepily. His earring is already in his ear. "We're here to show you more of the palace." Mondre` says. "But only for a short time." Skreme says. "Why?" Ryuu asks. "Do you want to come or not?" Skreme says sharply. Ryuu shoots him a dirty look. "I was only asking. We can go." he mutters. "Where are you planning to go?" Debern stands a few feet away, a curious eyebrow raised. "Somewhere." Mondre` says quickly. "Would you like to come see the palace?" Ashla asks. "That would be fantastic. I have always wanted to see the palace." Debern says with a wide grin. Ashla faces Mondre`. "May he come?" she asks. “We can't bring another person.” Skreme says. “We can not?” she asks sadly. Skreme scratches the back of his head. "Well, we can't because....." "That is all right. I do not wish to be a burden." Debern says. He goes to walk away. Ashla gazes at Mondre`, her big eyes pleading to him. He quickly thinks of what to say. "It can't hurt to bring another, if he stays close." he says. Debern turns back. Skreme narrows his eyes at Mondre`. "Not another." he says to him. "Why not? As long as we watch him, nothing will go wrong." Mondre` says to him. “What of the guards and the High Advisors?” Skreme asks aloud. He notices Debern‘s expression change slightly to nervousness. “They won't find us. They're too busy.” Mondre` says. Ashla clasps her hands together, smiling a little at Skreme. His cheeks go red as he lets out a loud sigh. "You can come. But if you try anything....." he threatens. Debern chuckles and holds up his hands. "I will not. You can trust me." he says. "I doubt it." Skreme says to Mondre`. The two hold out their hands. Ashla and Ryuu take them. Debern hesitates though. "What is it?" Ryuu asks. Debern warily smiles. "It is nothing." he replies. He reaches out and gently touches his shoulder then tenses. A look of solace appears on his face. ‘He is a strange person.' Mondre` thinks. He focuses. The room disintegrates around them.

Copyright 2007

Sabotage - Chapter Four

2010-05-09T10:20:00.000-04:00

Chapter Four

That night, Mondre` and Skreme sit in the dining hall. They are in their silk outfits once again, eating their meals set infront of them. Bersion stands beside Mondre`. Servants walk by with buckets of water, brooms, and other cleaning equipment, busy making sure everything is nice. "What is so extravagant about this Marques’ daughter?" Skreme mutters. "She is Marinae of Haeltin and your distant cousin. Her father’s kingdom is a mighty asset to keeping the Eastern Daemons out of the Western Territory." Bersion says. "That must be why Everdron is so troubled. She must be someone of great importance." Mondre` says. "That is correct, Your Majesty." Bersion says. "But not as important as us." Skreme says, smirking. “No one will ever be as important as us.” Mondre` agrees. Bersion chuckles. "Never, Your Majesties." he replies. “What does she look like?” Mondre` asks. “She is pretty, if that is what you mean, Your Majesty.” Bersion says, smiling. Mondre` feels his cheeks heat up. Skreme snickers as he cuts into his steak. “That is not what we meant. We mean is she….” “Nice? Proper? Friendly? Not ugly?” Skreme interrupts. “She is all of those, Your Majesties.” Bersion says. “We hope she is different from the Count’s daughter. What was her name?” Mondre` says, lifting his fork to point it at Skreme. “Kellen. We received bad dreams because of her.” Skreme says, shuddering. “She tried to douse us after we tried to remove an insect off her arm.” Mondre` says. “She did not understand why you placed a flame on her sleeve, Your Majesty. She thought you were purposely setting her on fire.” Bersion says. “We are not cruel.” Mondre` says. “We know that. So did she.” Skreme says. “She apologized.” Bersion says. “She did not mean it.” Mondre` says. “I am sure this one will be different, Your Majesty.” Bersion says. “We hope so.” Skreme says. After they eat, they walk to the dining room door. A servant opens the door, letting them go by. They talk about what they should do before bed. “Oh, Advisor? We heard Vikanda mention that the Eastern Kingdom is going to attack. Is this true? It terrifies us to think that will happen.” Skreme says, seeming concerned. Bersion’s face becomes blank. His eyes wander to the hall then he looks back at them and gives them his confident smile. "No. It is not. Go on to bed, Your Majesties. I will see you in the morning." he says, bowing his head. He changes his direction down another hall. They head toward their room. “Why did you mention that? Now Bersion is going to interrogate Vikanda thoroughly.” Mondre` says. “Exactly. She should not have left the floor wet for me to trip over.” Skreme says. "She said sorry." Mondre` says. Skreme laughs. "She certainly did. 'Oh, I'm so sorry, Your Majes...'" He pretends to trip over his own feet when he goes to bow. Mondre` bursts out laughing. Everdron steps out of the study and notices them playing around. "Your Majesties. A letter has come for you." he says. He holds out an elegant envelope with a wax royal seal keeping it closed. Skreme runs over and snatches it away. The two open it, excited to hear from their parents. Dear Mondre` and Skreme. All is going well. We have conquered the Isle of Dartence. The Dragons have retreated to Obera's Oasis. Our spies tell us it will be some time before they gain reinforcements. The barrier around the island has returned to full power. So we are coming this week to visit. We will see you both soon. Listen to High Advisor Everdron and High Advisor Bersion. And keep up with your studies. Love, Gothron, Lithera, Yorroe, and Katalin. Overwhelming joy moves through Mondre`. "They are coming!" he cries, jumping up and down happily. "This is excellent!" Skreme yells excitedly. The letter is held tightly in his hand. Everdron clears his throat. They stop then stand tall. "I will expect the best of behavior from the both of you. Your parents are not to be the only ones coming. The daughter of the Marques of Haeltin is coming, as are her parents, the Daemon Marques of Haeltin and the Daemon Marquises of Uatha, may Daemon bless them." he says. "Yes." they reply. "Good. Hume will meet you in your room. Goodnight, Your Majesties." he says. "Goodnight." they say then walk down the hall. Everdron goes back into the study. “He is gone.” Mondre` says. They race to their room. Hume and Iar step aside in time to avoid them. “What is wrong, Your Majesties?” Iar asks. "Mother and Father are coming!" Skreme exclaims, walking to his dresser. He opens a drawer and puts the letter in for safekeeping. “This is fantastic, my Lords.” Hume says happily. "We can not believe they conquered the Isle so quickly!" Mondre` says. "We knew they could do it." Skreme says, a big grin on his face as he closes the drawer. "The Dragons never had a chance." Mondre` says, laughing. Skreme laughs then yawns. "We are tired." he says. Mondre` nods, suppressing his own yawn. “Very well, my Lords.” Hume says. The servants help them change into their sleeping outfits then has them climb into their beds, tucking their covers in for them. Hume uses an iron snuffer to douse the candles then he closes the door as they leave. Their footsteps can be heard going down the stairs. An alchemic pendulum sits on a small mantle on the wall, which has eleven small gold balls, a tiny hammer, and a pendulum in the center. It ticks in a steady rhythm. Mondre` turns over in his bed to face Skreme. “Now we're able to show Ashla and Ryuu the palace.” he says to him. Skreme opens his eyes and turns to him. “Why not show them later?” he asks to him. “Don't you want to show Ashla around? I think she'd like it if you did." Mondre` says to him with a smug smile. “What's that supposed to mean?” he asks Mondre` stiffly. “Nothing. I was merely saying it would be fun with them here.” Mondre` says to him. “We've had a long day.” Skreme says to him. “I'm not tired.” Mondre` says to him. He sighs. “Fine. But we need to wait.” he says to him. So they wait, listening while keeping their eyes shut. The time keeper ticks. Metal can be heard clanking in the walls as well as breath and heartbeats. Time passes. Mondre` struggles to keep from falling asleep. He was tired, but he wanted to stay awake. The clanking stops. He sits up. “They've left.” he says. Skreme breathes softly. Mondre` throws his covers off and runs over to shake him awake. His eyes snap open then focus on Mondre`. “What?” he whines. “They're gone.” Mondre` says. Skreme mutters something then climbs out of his bed. Mondre` pulls the wool clothes out. They hurriedly put them on. Once done, they travel to the guild. They appear in an alleyway beside the guild to avoid another situation and step inside after someone lets them in. They find it more crowded than that afternoon. Some people stare at them, but most go about their business. They joke and laugh, chugging down their drinks. A few who have glasses half or partially filled with different colored drinks by their hands are asleep at the tables. The boys make their way over to the bar. As they go by a table, Skreme steps on someone’s foot that is sticking out. The man stands up, knocking back the chair he was sitting in. His weak burgundy aura brightens in outrage. “Watch where you're going, imp.” he growls. “I didn't mean to.” Skreme says. The man glares at him. Skreme does the same back. Mondre` stands beside him. “He said he didn't mean to.” he says. “I heard what he said. I want you to say sorry.” the man growls. “Why should I?” Skreme snaps. The man raises his hand. The boys’ eyes change. Skreme’s change to black and yellow. Mondre` makes his change. He knew the demon was seeing them become black, but the irises cover the pupils and glow piercing green. “I would sit down, if I were you.” he says. The man hesitates, noticing their strong auras. He lowers his hand. “Fine.” he mutters then picks his chair back up and sits down. “Are you all right?” Mondre` asks, returning his eyes to their original colors. “Just hurry and go.” Skreme says, his eyes changing back as well. They hurry to the bar. Nevex stands behind the counter, cleaning glasses. Mondre` stands beside someone sleeping on a bar stool. "Good evening, Nevex. Are Ryuu and Ashla here?" he asks. The person shifts at his voice then returns to snoring. "I think so. Upstairs, eighth room." Nevex says, waving the glass to the second landing. "Thanks." Mondre` says. They dash up the stairs. Whiskers sits at the top railing, watching them run by. They come to the eighth door and knock. "Who is it?" a girl's voice asks. "It's me, Andre`." he says. The door opens. Ashla smiles at them. "There you are. We were worried you would not be coming." she says. "We did. Are you ready to see the palace?" Skreme says. "Yes." she says eagerly. “Ryuu's downstairs.” She closes the door then walks them down the stairs. A young man walks to the edge of the steps. “Take care of the person in the eighth room.” she says. The young man nods and hurries upstairs. She leads the boys to an open door and knocks on the doorway. "Yeah?" Ryuu asks, walking up then sees Mondre` and Skreme. "You came. We thought..." "We wouldn't come." Skreme finishes. “Are you ready?” Ashla asks with a smile. “Sure am.” Ryuu says, grinning excitedly. Mondre` and Skreme walk the siblings into the room and close the door. "The dining hall?" Mondre` asks Skreme. "No. The armory." Skreme says to him. "All right." Mondre` replies to him. They hold out their hands. Ryuu and Ashla take them. The two stare, concentrating hard. Ashla gasps and Ryuu's eyes widen as the room starts to fade around them like sand, leaving the walls black. It seeps into a puddle around their feet. There is a flash of gray then the sand begins to spread, changing colors. It slides over invisible figures set against walls, turning them silver and faded gray, crawling up to the ceiling. Unlit torches grow out of the walls. The sand-like particles close into a solid ceiling above the four's heads. Glass windows let in streams of moonlight. All of it takes what seems to be a few ticks of a time keeper. When it is all over, Ryuu blinks and Ashla looks about in wonder. "That was great!" Ryuu cries. "Sshhhhh!" everyone hisses at him. "Sorry." he whispers. "This way." Mondre` says. He leads them past large suits of armor of odd designs and swords big enough for a giant to carry. "Who wore these?" Ryuu asks, looking one suit of armor over with long spikes on the back. The suit wields a sword as tall as it is. It stands twice as tall as the teenagers. The helmet has a design of grinning teeth in the area where the mouth is supposed to be. Runes are all over the metal. The points where the joints were able to move have sharp edges, made for stabbing into enemies. "Ancestors of the High Royal Family." Skreme says. They come to a door. Mondre` tries the door handle. It is locked. "Don't worry." Ryuu says, holding up a tiny rod with a crooked end. He walks up to the door and puts the rod in the lock. Mondre` wonders what he is doing. Skreme watches with curious irritation. "Should I?" he asks Mondre`. Mondre` gives a little shake of his head. "No. Let's see if he can..." "There." Ryuu says when the door clicks. He turns to them and smiles. "If you need anything unlocked, just ask the Great Ryuu, the greatest lock picker in Veud." he says dramatically. "Remind me to tell Everdron to put better locks on the doors." Skreme says to Mondre`. Mondre` steps past Ryuu to peek out the door. The corridor is empty. He gestures for them to follow. They creep out into the dark hallway behind him. "Where do you want to go to first?" he whispers. "The kitchen." Ryuu whispers without hesitation. "Not the kitchen. How about the throne room?" Ashla says softly. "All right." Mondre` says. They hurry down the hall then he checks around a corner. No one is there, so they dart through. Ryuu hears a door open. "Someone's coming!" he whispers urgently. "Shadows!" Mondre` hisses to Skreme. Skreme grabs Ashla's wrist, who grabs Ryuu's hand. They press themselves against the wall then Mondre` hears Ryuu inhale a quick breath as they sink into the darkness. The figure strides down the hall in their direction. The person passes a stream of moonlight gleaming from a window. It is Everdron. Mondre` holds his breath and concentrates on concealing his whereabouts. Everdron steps beside them, looking over a scroll. He stops then turns to the wall. His long black hair makes his pale hazel eyes seem white in the dim lighting as he scans the wall. Ryuu feels weak with fear. He clutches Ashla's hand, who squeezes back. Mondre` closes his eyes, hoping Everdron doesn't find them. He listens as Everdron's robes shift. He opens an eyelid. Everdron is staring straight at him. The High Advisor leans forward, reaching for the spot where Mondre` stands. Mondre` stiffens then drops down into the floor. Skreme has Ashla and Ryuu sink with him farther back into the next wall. Everdron peeks through the wall and searches for what he sensed. He backs away, his face showing his confusion. He looks to the window then turns and walks away in a hurry. Mondre` watches him go around a corner. He lets out his breath. "Do you know who that was?" Ashla asks in a small voice. "That was High Advisor Everdron." Skreme replies, helping them out of the shadows. Mondre` moves back up to floor level and steps out beside them. His own hands were shaking. "That was close." he sighs, holding his hands together to keep them still. "How were you able to do that?" Ashla asks. "That was Viscount Everdron?" Ryuu asks in a growl. "The guards taught us how to walk through the shadows." Skreme says, facing Ashla, who still has a look of astonishment on hers. "You mean the guards can do that too?" she asks. "They always have been able to." he says. Ryuu starts walking in the direction Everdron went in, an expression of hate on his face. His hand clasps a dagger. Ashla sees him. "Ryuu!" she hisses. He doesn’t stop. She runs up and grabs his tunic to stop him. "Do not do it, Ryuu!" she orders. "Why not? He's hurt so many people. Why can't I kill him?" Ryuu snaps. "Because you couldn't get eighteen feet from him before he turns you inside out and sets you aflame while keeping you alive." Skreme replies dully. “It's the truth.” Mondre` says. "Ryuu, do not. I am serious." Ashla says worriedly. Ryuu's earring glints in the moonlight as he looks away. "Fine. I'll get him later." he vows, sheathing his dagger. "Maybe we should go to another part of the palace." Mondre` suggests. "Why not?" Ashla asks. "Because that's the way to the throne room." Skreme says, indicating the direction Everdron disappeared in. "Good. I want to see how he treats people around here." Ryuu says. "This is going to be very interesting." Skreme says, amused. The four head in Everdron's direction as quietly as possible. They reach the throne room door. Ashla notices something shining to her left. She turns to see the doors to the room with the bridge. Skreme grabs Ryuu's shoulder, making him jump. "What'd you do that for?" Ryuu asks. Skreme shrugs. "No reason." he says. They sink into the floor. Ryuu looks terrified then they disappear from sight. Mondre` watches a black shadow seep under the door. He goes to ask Ashla if she wanted to come. Ashla was walking to the padlocked room. “Where are you going?” he asks, running over to her. “I was only wondering where that leads.” she says kindly. “To the Lodestone.” he says. “The Lodestone of the West?” she asks. "Yep." he says then holds out his hand. She looks to the room then faces him and takes his hand. They sink through the marble. She gasps and clings to his arm. His heartbeat increases. He silently hopes she can't hear it. They step down onto a dark solid floor. She looks up to see the hallway above, like they had slipped through a glass panel. "Fascinating." she breathes. "Follow me." he says with a smile. He escorts her under the door. They see Skreme and Ryuu standing a few yards away. Skreme puts a finger to his lips when they come up then points over. Mondre` looks in the direction he indicates. Everdron stands in the middle of the room. A person stands in front of him in soldier's armor with a slanted L shape on his right side. What appears to be a ring of thorns is beside it. The four creep over to the under side of the throne. "What do you mean it has not arrived yet?" Everdron asks heatedly. The soldier bows his head. "We have lost contact with the unit transporting the object, Lord Everdron. There is a search party searching for it as we speak." he says. "I need it here by the time His High Majesty returns. If it does not arrive by that time, I will make sure to lock you in the dungeons for eternity." Everdron threatens. The soldier fidgets at his tone of voice. "Yes, Lord Everdron." he says. "Leave." Everdron orders. The soldier salutes and walks away hurriedly. Once the front doors close, Everdron lets out a heavy sigh. "I need it here soon." he mutters. One of the mirror doors open. High Advisor Bersion steps in and sees High Advisor Everdron. "Oh, Advisor. I did not realize you were here." he says, sounding slightly surprised. "I was just leaving." Everdron says. He strides to the door behind the throne and walks out of the room. High Advisor Bersion is puzzled. He seems to dismiss it then walks across the room. Half way, he pauses infront of the throne. He looks to it and frowns. Teal strands of his aura make their way to the four. Mondre` and Skreme concentrate to hide any sense of them being there. The strands move around them, searching for them. They return to Bersion, who quirks an eyebrow then continues walking. Soon, he is gone too. No one says anything for a moment. Then Ashla asks in a whisper. "What is going on?" The three boys jump then sigh from the scare. "I'm not sure." Mondre` says. "I think the show is over for tonight. It's getting late." Skreme says. "Why? We have not yet seen all of the palace." Ashla whines softly. "We'll show you the rest later. Right now, we have to leave." Skreme says. He and Mondre` transport the siblings to the alley by the guild. "Thank you very much for that." Ashla says. “Yeah, thanks.” Ryuu mutters. "You're welcome. We'll come back when we can." Mondre` says. They disappear. When they come close to their beds, they lay down and sneeze from the particles. Their blankets are sent high enough for them to slip under. They can hear the clanking again in the walls. They make an effort to relax. “What do you think Everdron is up to?” Mondre` asks Skreme. Skreme yawns. “I don't know. It's probably for something special. I hope I get something." he says to Mondre`. Mondre` turns over to gaze up at the canopy of his bed. His eyelids feel heavy. “Me too.” he mumbles to him. His eyes close, making him fall fast to sleep.

Copyright 2007

Sabotage - Chapter 3

2010-05-02T21:30:00.000-04:00

Chapter Three

The next morning, Hume, the chamber servant, and a younger servant named Iar walk into a dark bedroom. Breathing can be heard from two beds against the back wall. He walks up to a window above a short dresser. The thick curtains let no light in. Hume opens them, letting light seep into the bedroom. A figure in each bed swiftly cover their heads with their pillows. "Time to get up, my Lords." he says. The two figures moan and whine under their pillows. "We do not want to!" "Why?" Iar walks over to a taller dresser and takes out two sets of clothes. He lays an outfit on both their beds then waits for them to get up. One figure removes the pillow from their face. Mondre` sits up, squinting his eyes from the bright sunlight. “Good morning, High Prince. Did you sleep well?” Iar asks. “Yes.” Mondre` yawns. Skreme removes his pillow from his face. Strands of his hair lay over his face. “It is too early.” he says. “Good morning, Prince. It is exactly the seventh morning tone.” Hume says. Skreme moans and falls back onto his pillow. Mondre` climbs out of his bed, wearing his sleeping clothes. Skreme drags himself out of his bed, in his sleeping clothes also. “Who put those on you, Your Majesties?” Hume asks. "Flis.” Mondre` mumbles. Hume nods then smells a strange foul odor in the air. “That smell. What is that?” he asks. Iar smells then scrunches his nose. “We are not sure. But we need a bath.” Mondre` says. “As do we.” Skreme says, yawning. “Yes, Your Majesties.” Hume says. He helps them take a bath in a room attached to the bedroom, using strong soaps to get rid of the smell. Mondre` begins humming a tune while Hume dresses Skreme. “What are you singing, Your Majesty?” Iar asks, sliding Mondre`’s tunic over his head. Mondre` stops. “Something we made up.” he says after a wary glance from Skreme. The door opens. High Advisor Everdron steps in, his blue robes flowing around him like smoke. A dark blue-purple aura was bright around his body. "Where did you go yesterday, Your Majesties?" he asks, his hazel eyes glowing blue. 'Uh oh.' Mondre` thinks. "We became lost last night. We went to the kitchen, but no one was there. So we did not eat anything. We went straight to bed." he lies. He clutches at his supposedly empty stomach. A corner of Everdron's mouth moves upward then returns to it's frown. "You do realize the palace was attacked yesterday. Someone placed an alchemic bomb on the east side......of the second west den." he says, his eyes moving from one prince to the other. "Did you find who it was?" Mondre` asks, acting amazed. "The guards found them escaping over the wall. The intruders had found how to bring down the barrier.” Everdron says. “Were they caught?” Skreme asks. Everdron lets a sigh out through his nose. “No. Eat breakfast then meet me in the study." he orders. He walks out, leaving the door open. Mondre` lets out his breath. "I think he knows we did it." he says to Skreme. "I think so too." Skreme replies to him as Hume and Iar bow, letting them walk out. They stride down the hallway to the throne room. Mondre` hums the tune again, his hands clasped behind his back. A servant walks in the same direction from another door to their right, carrying two buckets of milk. He has an earring attached to his right earlobe. “Tino.” Skreme says to Mondre`, who stops humming. Tino sees them coming and stops for them, bowing low. They pass him and walk into the throne room. He follows after to the dining room. Mondre` can feel his eyes on his back. He and Skreme sit down at the dining table. Tino walks by. He comes to the door then looks back. “Is something the matter?” Mondre` asks. Tino bows his head. “No, Your Majesty. I'm sorry.” he says and walks into the kitchen. “He knows we were there.” Mondre` says to Skreme. “I don't believe so. He's too stupid.” Skreme says to him. Servants bring in platters of sausages, boiled eggs, slices of ham and bread. The princes start eating. "I never thought I'd be glad to be back.” Skreme says to Mondre` as he makes an egg roll over the table top by only moving his eyes. “You always say that. But what are we going to do next?” Mondre` asks him. “I'm not sure. Maybe we could go outside before lessons.” Skreme suggests to him. “You realize that'll anger Everdron.” Mondre` says to him. He puts the egg in a spoon and launches it at him. Mondre` narrows his eyes. The egg flies sideways to the other end of the table, landing with a clack. A guard picks it up, returning to his statue-like position. “I don't care if Everdron gets angry. He's always angry.” Skreme says to Mondre`. “That's true. I guess we can. But we have to be quiet about it.” Mondre` replies to him. They eat their fill then run out. “You can't catch us!” Mondre` hollers. “Yes, we can!“ Skreme yells back. Mondre` dashes through the corridors and past rooms to a set of doors with Skreme right on his heels. The guards open the doors. He goes out to the balcony then takes the stairs three at a time. A bird darts overhead. He grins and leaps over the rest of the wide stairway after it. Skreme runs underneath him. The bird sees Mondre` and flies faster, barely missing his hand. It heads for a large pond with a fountain that sits in the front section of the courtyard. Different fish and aquatic life can be seen swimming in the crystal clear water. Mondre` lands on the cobbled path infront of Skreme and dashes after it. It hovers over the pond then shoots straight up. Mondre` leaps onto the surface of the water. The water turns into a flexible material at the touch of his aura. It bends under his weight then slings him up after the bird. Skreme bounces off the water and rockets into the air. The bird evades Mondre` by looping over then under him. He turns and dives after it. It heads back to the pond. It passes Skreme, who grabs for it. He catches it's tail and falls. The creatures are at the surface, waiting for them to come. When the creatures think they are in reach, they snap, but the bouncy surface keeps them from coming out. The princes land on the water and bounce a few times, laughing. Skreme releases the bird, which darts into the trees. Mondre` can hear it chattering at them. Skreme holds a feather up. “We have it!” he says. "Another for your collection." Mondre` says, getting up to jump. “Your Majesties!” Hume, who stands on the top of the steps, calls. “Time for prayers!” “We are busy!” Skreme shouts. “High Advisor Bersion insists.” Hume says. They complain, but step over the water to the shore and make their way up the stairs. After morning prayers, they move down the corridor toward a study they had for lessons with Hume. “I will let you go on, Your Majesties.” he says with a bow. He walks into a separate corridor. "He's gone." Mondre` says to Skreme. Instead of taking a left, he and Skreme go to the right until they come to a door. He opens it and looks inside the colossal throne room. "Anything?" Skreme asks, peeking past him. "No. Follow me." Mondre` says. They step out inside. They creep behind a column, which is one of many that line both sides of the walls. Mondre` makes sure that the bejeweled throne that sits at the end of a black carpet is not hiding anyone before moving to the next column, just in case someone did come in. To his right are glassless bay windows that shows a tiny courtyard blocked off by the dining hall. “No one's here.” he whispers. Skreme moves by him to lead the way. Flags with the High Royal emblem flap in a breeze. The noise sounds like someone in heavy robes walking or running alongside them. The front doors are sixty yards from them straight ahead. "Now!" Skreme hisses. They speed across the room. The wall mirrors can barely catch their reflections as they pass. They run up the long flight of stairs and just make it to the top when Everdron appears infront of them from out of nowhere. Mondre` gasps and tries to stop. But the marble floor is slick and they slip. They land hard on their behinds, sliding to a stop. Mondre` grimaces then looks up. Everdron narrows his eyes, which begin to glow. "Where do you think you are going, Your Majesties?" he asks, arms folded in front of him under his sleeves. Mondre` gulps. "Uh...around." he says. "I told you to go to the study. Why are you not?" Everdron asks. "We wished to get some fresh air before we studied." Skreme replies. "You can not go outside until you are finished with your lessons." Everdron says. "Have you finished with prayers?" "Yes." they say. "Then you will go to the study immediately." “Yes.” they mumble. They get up and walk to the throne room side door. Everdron follows behind them. “How does he know what we're going to do?” Mondre` says to Skreme. "He knows us too well.” Skreme says to him. Mondre` winces from the pain in his rear end. "We should've traveled.” Skreme smirks. “That's no fun.” he says to him. They walk to the study, where High Advisor Bersion waits. Mondre` and Skreme sit in two brown leather chairs. "Where have you been, Your Majesties?" Bersion asks. "We were praying." Mondre` says. “And then tried to sneak off.” Everdron says. Bersion chuckles. "Advisor Everdron caught you again, eh?" he asks. The boys keep quiet. "I leave them to you." Everdron says. His robes swish as he leaves. “Now that you are here, I will have you work on arithmetic.” Bersion says as he walks past them to a bookshelf. Mondre` and Skreme prepare to take notes on paper with quill pens he hands them. After lessons, the boys creep away when he becomes distracted by a group of farmers. They come to the door that leads to the throne room hidden behind the throne. "We need to figure out how to get to the front doors." Skreme says. Mondre` pauses to gaze at something on the other side of the hall. Light comes down to hit a pair of thick doors with thick chains attached. A lock that keeps the chains together has no keyhole or combinations. On the front of it is a decoration made of gold. A small bridge leads to it with a dark pit between the doorway and the hall. Above is a clear glass window with a silver rod sticking straight out the top. "Will we ever get in there?" he asks. "We will. But we shouldn't stay here or Everdron will find us." Skreme says, walking up to the throne room door. "We should return to the study." Mondre` suggests. “But what should we do about the secret escort?” "Perhaps. All they are talking about is their crops being devoured by swarms of hikbats." Skreme says, listening through the throne room door. “We'll have to lose them.” “How?” Mondre` asks him. “We'll have to run.” Skreme says to him. They stride away from the door. When they think they are far enough, they dash for the grand hall. A group of people are there, waiting by the main throne room door for their turn. The princes stop when they see their friend Eresal. "Your Majesties!" he greets happily, walking over. "Hello, Eresal. Where have you been?" Mondre` says, bowing his head a bit in greeting. "I have been traveling to the North while my father was away." Eresal replies. "Where has Baron Quinteral been?" Skreme asks. Eresal gives a slight shrug. "Not anywhere as of late." he says. "Are the High Advisors too busy?" "Possibly. We can talk in the study." Skreme says. The three and Eresal's entourage gather in the study. Eresal sits in a chair, his hands clasped at his mouth. The princes remain quiet, patiently waiting for him to speak. He lowers his hands. "My father was sent to the border of the Eastern Kingdom. He was captured and killed." "What?" Mondre` asks. "At least now he can care for his other siblings without that old coot putting them in danger." Skreme says to him. He discretely steps on his foot. Skreme grimaces then gives him a dirty look. "We are sorry to hear of your loss." Mondre` says. Eresal nods, looking down at his boots. "You have to think about Clarese and Kiney. Maybe you can care for them better now." Mondre` says. "You will be doing them a favor." Skreme says. Eresal sits up. "Do you believe so?" he asks. "Yes." the cousins say. "Have you been crowned yet?" Skreme asks. "No. I will be at the end of this week. That is why I am here. I need to speak with High Advisor Bersion to receive Daemon's blessing." Eresal says. "He will be preoccupied for a time. That is why we were there." Mondre` says. Eresal smirks then says to them. "Trying to sneak out again?" "Of course. We have to or we will rot of boredom." Skreme says to the two. Eresal shakes his head and gets up. "We should see if they are finished." he says. "You can go on ahead. We have other objectives to attend to." Mondre` says. "All right. I should be staying in the city for a time. I will return soon." Eresal says. "All right." They all go their separate ways. Once they come to the stairs, Mondre` swiftly leads Skreme up to the third story, where their room is. Skreme shuts the door behind them. Mondre` kneels down and pulls a floor tile away. He reaches in then takes out an off-white wool tunic. "This one's yours." he says, handing it to Skreme. He pulls out another while Skreme slides off his silk tunic and puts on the woolen one. “We should travel.” Mondre` says, reaching into the tile to bring out a pouch of money. He quickly wraps the leather string into his hair. “The barrier will stop us.” Skreme says. “If it will let us in, it might let us out.” Mondre` says. He ties the pouch to his pants. “All right. But it's not going to work.” Skreme says then concentrates. Mondre` focuses. He is surprised to find he can go through. A gray flash and the tavern comes to view. The people inside start when they appear. They grab any weapons they have. The boys gather energy in their hands behind their backs, ready to fight if they had to. "Stop! These are friends." someone says from the second floor. Everyone, including the boys, look up. Jaran stands on the landing. He waves to the two. Mondre` disperses his aura behind his back and waves. “How'd they do that?” someone mutters, sheathing their dagger. The person they were talking to only shrugs. "Good afternoon, Jaran." Mondre` calls up. "Good afternoon. How are you today?" Jaran asks, walking to the stairs. "Very well, thank you." Mondre` replies. "Where are Ryuu and Ashla?" "They'll be here any minute. Make yourselves at home." Jaran says. "Thanks." Mondre` says. The three walk to a table. "By the way, how'd you do that?" Jaran asks. "Do what?" Skreme asks, sitting opposite Mondre`. "Appear out of nowhere like that. I've only heard of the Daemons doing that." Jaran says, standing in front of the table. Mondre` and Skreme look to each other. "It's something we were taught at the palace." Mondre` says. "You need to teach me some of what you've learned." Jaran says. "We will if we can." Mondre` says. Someone walks up, looking rushed. They whisper something in Jaran’s ear. “All right.” he whispers back and turns back to the cousins. “I need to go. I'll see you." "Goodbye." the two reply. He walks away. "You shouldn't have told him that." Skreme says to Mondre`. "I said if. Besides, they're our friends." Mondre` tells him. "They're peasants. They're not allowed to know what we do." Skreme says to him. "Hey Andre`! Ream!" Several other people turn at the voice. Ashla and Ryuu walk up. Ryuu is now clean, but his hair is not brushed out. Mondre` notices the people giving them suspicious looks. She sits beside Skreme. Mondre` sees his cheeks flush then scoots over for Ryuu. "Where did you go last night? When I came to ask if you needed anything, you were gone. I didn't see you leave." Ryuu says. "We traveled. It's a way for us servants to go places in a hurry." Mondre` says. "Really? Can you take anyone with you?" she asks excitedly. "Of course." Mondre` says then catches himself. "That means we can go with you. Can we go now?" Ryuu asks. "No. Not now. Maybe tonight when everyone's asleep." Mondre` suggests, looking to Skreme. Skreme was red in the face from Ashla sitting so close. "We will be ready." she says, smiling. Mondre` looks out the window. "I need to go to Zuenila's. She has something for us." he says. "We will come with you." she says, standing up fast. It takes him by surprise. "All right." he says. They all head across to the other side of the city. Ryuu points out Panter and Doma's houses then they hurry away before they are seen. Zuenila is happy to see them. "That was fast. I still have it." she says, leaning behind the counter. She brings out the mirror. Ashla gawks at it. "It is beautiful." she says. "Yep. That's why I'm getting it." Mondre` says. He hands Zuenila twenty-two silver coins. "Where'd you get that sort of money?" Ryuu gapes. "We've been saving it for our mother's birthday." Mondre` says. "Good idea. This is great for her." Zuenila says. He smiles timidly, taking it. "Thank you." He tucks it into his tunic. "We'll come back when you get anything else." Skreme says. "I'll be here." Zuenila says contentedly. The four walk the streets until the palace bells ring twice. "We need to leave." Skreme says. "We will see you tonight then." Ashla says cheerfully.

Copyright 2007

Sabotage - Chapter Two

2010-04-25T10:25:00.000-04:00

Chapter Two

The building is some sort of tavern and inn two stories high. Children, teenagers, and many adults walk around, laughing and talking merrily. Most are in peasant clothes. A few are dressed in richly colored outfits. Many people stop what they are doing when they see Mondre`, Skreme, and Ryuu, their faces and hair smeared with green algae. The well dressed people make revolted faces. The ones in regular clothes laugh. A tabby cat with a brown collar runs between Skreme’s legs to jump up onto the stair railing, startling him. “Stupid animal.” he mutters. “It is not stupid. It always comes here. We call it Whiskers.” Ashla says. “That’s a stupid name for an animal.” Skreme mumbles to Mondre`. A teenager, about nineteen, with gold eyes with green rimming his pupils walks up to the four. He has a matching earring like Ryuu, but on his right earlobe and no aura. He looks them over then faces Ryuu. "Why'd you bring them?" he asks. "They're servants from the castle. They were taken by troops, but I helped them before they were killed." Ryuu says. The older teenager turns to Mondre` and Skreme. "Welcome. I'm Jaran." he says, holding out his hand. Mondre` and Skreme shake it. "I'm Andre`." "I'm Ream." Jaran looks from one to the other. "Are you family?” he asks. “Yes. We're brothers.” Skreme says. "Good to meet you. How'd you get out of the castle? They don't let their servants out often." Jaran says. “We had to do errands.” Mondre` says. “Really? What sort of errands?” Jaran asks. A group of men burst out laughing, taking Mondre`’s attention away while Skreme talks. The men have steaming bowls of stew set infront of them as they discuss their business. He feels his stomach growl. Jaran must have heard. "Come with me." he says. Mondre` and Skreme follow him to a bar, where another young man stands with no aura. "What'd you like Nevex to make for you?" Jaran asks. "Jiilick fish, please." Mondre` says. "Me too." Skreme says. Jaran faces Nevex. "Two Jiilick fish." he says. "Will be done." Nevex replies. "You can go sit. Nevex'll give you your food when it's done." Jaran says. "Thank you very much." Mondre` says. He really wanted to sit down. His legs felt like sticks. He and Skreme walk over to where Ryuu and Ashla sit at a table by a fireplace. A single candle sits in the middle, the flame flickering. The boys sit down opposite them and relax. Mondre` notices a strand of his bangs covered in algae. He tries to pick the algae off. Ashla snorts, covering her mouth to keep from laughing. "If you like, I can have someone make a bath for you and give you some clean clothes." she suggests. "That'd be much appreciated." Skreme mumbles, rubbing a dirty cheek with his sleeve. She smiles and gets up to speak to someone. "So, what's the castle like?" Ryuu asks, resting his chin on his hands. “You can see it from here.” Skreme says, using his shirt front to wipe at his face vigorously. “I mean what's it like inside?” Ryuu says. "It's very big. It has a number of rooms." Mondre` replies. "There's the kitchen, the dining room, the throne room, the study, the library,..." "The Red room, the Blue room, the Green room,....er...many guestrooms, the trophy rooms, the armory, the dungeons..." The two go down the list of places in the palace they knew of while they struggle to get the dirt off. Ryuu listens, looking more amazed with every place they mention. "I've always wanted to see what's inside." he says after they finish. "Maybe we can show you." Mondre` says. "That'd be great!" Ryuu says eagerly. A teenager with purple eyes with brown rimming his pupils and an earring on his right earlobe bursts out laughing as he walks up. Mondre` recognizes him as someone from the palace. “What's he doing here?!” Skreme hisses to Mondre` as they drop their heads down. "How should I know?" Mondre` replies to him. “Go to the castle? The only way you'll be getting in is if you're sent to the dungeons.” the teenager says, facing Ryuu. “Nuh uh. You can go in, if you stay in the throne room.” Ryuu argues. “The nighthounds'll get you if you step past the gate. Only I can get in.” the teenager says then notices the back of Mondre` and Skreme’s heads as they look away. Ryuu frowns. “Leave him be.” Ashla says, walking up behind the teenager. He gazes at the cousins a bit longer then says. “Yes Ma’am.” He walks back over to the group he was sitting with, taking a few glances back. She sits down beside Ryuu. "The bath will be ready soon." she informs the boys as they turn back. "Thank you. That boy. Whose he?" Mondre` says. “Oh, he is Tino. He is also from the palace. He comes here whenever he can. Do you know him?” she says. “A little. He works in the kitchen.” he says. She smiles, sitting forward. "So, how did my brother catch you?" "Brother?" he asks. "Yes. Can you not see the resemblance?" she asks. She pulls Ryuu close to where they are cheek to cheek. Skreme raises an eyebrow. "I can see it. How about you?" Mondre` asks, facing him. "Slightly." Skreme replies. He sounds doubtful. "How did you find Ryuu? Or did he find you?" she asks. "Ream found him, I think." Mondre` says. "I saw him pick an apple off the ground. The guards did too. So they caught him to take him away. They thought I said something and attacked me." Skreme murmurs. "What did you say?" Mondre` asks. "He said 'he should have any food that is on the ground' and 'I doubt anyone would want it now'. The guards became mad when he said that." Ryuu says. Her eyes widen. Skreme looks embarrassed. "The squad attacked him and Mondre`. I stopped them then had Mondre` and Skreme come with me." Ryuu explains. "So that's what happened." Mondre` says, eyeing Skreme. "I was only trying to get the guards' attention." Skreme says disdainfully. "Mmmhmmm." Mondre` says. He knew better. Skreme had been smarting off like Mondre` did earlier and had ended up beaten for it. "You are safe here. Unless you want to go back." she says. "We'll have to go back or our masters will get angry." Mondre` says. "You mean the High Prince and the Prince of Klohmoi? I heard the High Prince is a nice person. The Prince of Klohmoi can be sometimes." she says. "Can be?" Skreme asks pointedly. Mondre` smiles then becomes serious. "No. I mean Master Everdron and Master Bersion." he replies. "Humph. High Advisor Viscount Everdron. He is so mean. He thinks he can do what he wants when the High King is in the Abyss. I'm glad High Advisor Viscount Bersion is there to stop him." Ryuu mutters, laying his chin on the table. Mondre` is not sure he heard right. "Is that so?" Skreme asks inquisitively. "Yes. He has all the squads placing people in the dungeons." she says sadly. "That's what I've heard too." Ryuu says. "Could it be possible for you to tell the High Prince? Maybe he can stop him. Tino is too scared to." she says. “I am not!” they hear Tino shout. “Are too!” Ryuu shouts back. "I might be able to when we get back." Mondre` replies then leans forward. "What have you heard of the High Prince?" “A good many things. Tino says all the servants love him. He is very polite to everyone.” she says. Nevex walks over, stopping her. He places two plates with cooked fish and a pair of knives and forks down in front of Mondre` and Skreme. "There you go." he says. "Thanks." they say. He gives a nod then walks away to help someone else. Mondre` and Skreme pick up a knife and fork each and dig in. Ashla and Ryuu continue to ask them questions as they gobble down their food. They try to answer the best they can. “So where do you two work?” she asks. “Depends on where Master Everdron wants us.” Mondre` says. “Sometimes he wants us to be in the kitchen, sometimes he wants us to clean the guestrooms, sometimes in the laundry rooms.” “Yeah! They can move water without touching it.” Ryuu says excitedly. “You can? Then you are Demons.” she says. “Yeah. We were taught that so we don't make the floors wet.” Skreme says then takes a bite. “But if you are Demons, why are you working in the palace?” she asks. “We're helping our mother while our father is away.” Mondre` says. Skreme nods, still chewing. “That is nice of you. Are you going to be recruited? Where is your father?” she asks. “Soon, I hope.” Mondre` says. “Our father is over the Abyss. He travels often.” “Is he well paid?” she asks. “You can say that. He's fighting in the war right now.” Skreme says. “Oh, he is a soldier. What rank?” she asks. "He is a Master Sergeant." he says. Once they finish their meal, she shows them to an area behind a wooden wall in the kitchen. A small wooden tub sits in the middle of the small area, filled with hot water. Two tunics and two pairs of pants lay across a chair against the wall. "I will get a room ready for you if you decide to stay. If you need me, just call." she says gladly. She steps out to let them clean up. The kitchen door closes with a click. "Which of us goes first?" Skreme asks. "You can go first." Mondre` says. Skreme walks around to the other side of the fireplace, takes his dirty clothes off, and climbs in. He finds a pumice rock and uses it to scrub off the gunk on his skin. Mondre` sits down in a chair, looking at everything in the kitchen. Rusty pans sit on tables along with dirty plates and utensils. "Do you believe what Ryuu and Ashla were saying about Everdron?" he asks. "Maybe. I've always thought Everdron was up to something." Skreme says, scrubbing his hair with a rough bar of soap. "But he'd never send someone to the dungeons for no reason. He always has a reason." Mondre` says. "True. But he's always busy. I wouldn't doubt it if he let the soldiers do what they want." Skreme says. Mondre` hears the kitchen door open. He peeks around to see a woman come in. She walks around to the brick wall. She notices him then sees Skreme most of the way under the water, his eyes staring at her maliciously over the edge of the tub. “Sorry. I just need to get something.” she says, averting her eyes. She picks up a plate and some silverware that is on a shelf then leaves the room. “They need to lock the door.” Skreme says, sitting up to scrub his arms. Mondre` walks over to the door. “It doesn't have a lock.” he says. “Fantastic.” Skreme mutters. He washes off then gets out to let Mondre` bathe. Mondre` makes sure to raise the temperature before getting in. It is nice and hot, soothing the aches and pains. He scrubs his skin hard with pumice rocks to get the stuff off. He combs his fingers through his hair, trying to get the knots out. “Should we stay the night?” he asks. “Depends if I want to.” Skreme says, now sitting in the chair, fully dressed. He grimaces at the dirty silverware and place settings. “If you want to? I may be younger, but I choose when we leave.” Mondre` says stubbornly. “Well, I'm older.” Skreme says. “That doesn't matter.” Mondre` says. “Yes, it does.” Skreme says. “Does not.” Mondre` says. He cleans up then steps out and dresses in the clean clothes, tying his hair back. They return to the main tavern. "I can still smell it." Skreme says, sniffing his arm. “I told you.” Mondre` says. "Andre`! Ream!" Ashla waves to them from the table. Ryuu is talking to another person who has a mug in their hand on the other side of the room. He still has dirt all over his face. The two walk over and sit across from Ashla. “Do you feel better?” she asks. “Yes. Thank you for doing that.” Mondre` says. “It was my pleasure. So what else do you know about the palace and the High Royal Family?” she asks. “Do you all need to know of the palace?” Skreme asks, sounding exasperated. Ashla glances down at her hands. “I am sorry. I did not mean to keep bothering you. It is just that, I have always been interested in the palace. But I have never been able to see it.” she says softly. “Don't mind him. He does this when he's tired.” Mondre` says. Ashla gets a small smile on her face. He feels his cheeks heat up. A violin chord is played. He looks up to the second landing where the sound comes from. Five men stand there, holding violins at their shoulders. The people in the tavern cheer and applaud for music. The musician on the right slides his bow across the strings back and forth in swift motions. The instrument sings. His comrades play their own instruments. Lively music hums through the air. Many people get up and start dancing. “Come with me.” she says, grabbing Mondre`’s hand. She pulls him to where everyone is. She lets him go and begins dancing with the gathering. “Dance.” she says. Mondre` scratches the back of his head. “I don't dance like tha…” She steps up to be an inch from his nose. “Please dance?” she says, batting her eyelashes. He swallows, feeling his whole face go red. He turns to Skreme. "What do I do?" he asks him. “Don't ask me. This was your decision.” Skreme says to him, tilting his head with a snide smile. Mondre` faces her then swallows and takes her hand. She begins dancing. He tries to do the same as her. Someone jumps onto a table and does a funny little jig. Skreme rolls his eyes at the incompetent. A girl walks up to him. “What are you doing sitting here?” she asks. “I am wishing to be left alone.” he says. She frowns then smirks. She grabs his hands and pulls him up. “What are you doing?!” he yells, attempting to get away. “You look like you need some fun.” she says. She tugs him to the crowd and dances with him, keeping a firm grasp on his hands. He has to move his feet to keep from stepping or tripping over everyone else’s. She laughs, spinning him around then lets go. He cries out as he stumbles into the middle of the floor, bumping into the table. The person falls back onto someone and laughs then hiccups. The girl clasps her hands over her mouth when she realizes where he went. The music stops. Everyone stares at Skreme, who stands at the table, facing the crowd. 'Uh oh.' Mondre` thinks. He makes his way toward him. “Dance!” someone hollers. “I….ummm….” Skreme tries to say something. Ryuu steps up and pats his back. “How ‘bout we all dance?” he suggests loudly. “Hoora!” several people agree. The music starts back up. Everyone returns to dancing. Ryuu walks Skreme out of the crowd. “I'm sorry. I didn't mean to.” the girl says when they come out. Mondre` hurries up to them. “Of course you didn't mean to.” Skreme says sarcastically. “She really did not.” Ashla says, walking up. “Vaera sometimes overdoes it.” The girl smiles to Skreme. "Sorry." she says again. “This is getting tiring.” Skreme says, walking past them to his seat. Ashla turns to Mondre`. “I was wanting to ask. Are you staying?” she asks. “I suppose.” he says. “I will see if a room is ready then.” she says. She walks away with Ryuu and Vaera. Mondre` sits down on the opposite side of Skreme. “I want to go home.” Skreme says. “This was your idea.” Mondre` says. “I've changed my mind.” Skreme says. “Well, I like it here.” Mondre` says. "Andre`!" Ashla is at the back of the tavern. He can barely see her beckoning for them to come past the crowd. Ryuu stands beside her. The two walk around the edge of the dancing crowd. Whiskers watches them go by, his tail twitching. They meet the siblings infront of the room. "This will be your room. It is free the first night." Ashla says. Mondre` and Skreme peek inside. Skreme's face becomes stiff at the sight of the plain room. "Fantastic." "I will get some blankets." Ryuu says. He steps out of view. Mondre` walks inside. Skreme is next. They step up to two mats, deciding on which one they wanted. Mondre` looks under a mat for any bugs. "I know it might not be what you are used to. But it is all we have." Ashla says. "It's fine. Isn't it?" Mondre` says, tilting his head to Skreme. Skreme gives him a sneer then turns to her. "It's fantastic." he says. She smiles. "Good." she says. Ryuu comes back with a pair of blankets. "These will keep you warm." he says. He hands one to Mondre` and the other to Skreme. He walks to the door, where Ashla stands. "Goodnight." she says, giving them a small wave. “Goodnight.” Mondre` says. She leaves them alone in the room. The only light comes from a lit candle that sits on a small crate. Mondre` lays his blanket over the mat he chose. Skreme stands beside his mat. "I want to go home." he says. "Why? This is fun. It's kind of like going out on a hunt." Mondre` says. He slips under the blanket. "No, it's not." Skreme says. He places the blanket over his sleeping mat. Before he slides underneath it, he shouts. Mondre` feels the heat of a fire and sees the light reflect off the walls. "What?" he asks, swiveling around. A spout of flame comes from an area of Skreme’s palm where his aura is brightest. It hits the floor, spreading around the mat. He stops after a moment. "There are insects crawling on this." he says. Mondre` sits up and checks his mat and blanket. Nothing is on it. "Just don't burn the floor out." he says, laying back down. “Now it's charred.” Skreme says, looking the blackened blanket over. “At least it's warm.” Mondre` says. "Ha ha. My sides hurt from my laughter." Skreme says. He snaps the blanket a few times to make sure then slowly lays down on it. Mondre` waves a hand. A small wind blows the candle flame out, leaving them in the dark. The whole room smells of smoke and wood. He gazes up at the ceiling, listening to the cheering below. "We should leave and come back later." Skreme says, fidgeting. Mondre` thinks the same. The mat is uncomfortable and the sounds were going to keep him up. "I suppose you're right. We'll come back in the morning." he replies. "Of course I'm right." Skreme says. Someone knocks on the door. "Hey, you guys." Ryuu says, opening the door. He sees the blankets laying over two empty mats. He looks about the room. No one is inside. The window at the back is still locked. 'Where did they go?' he wonders.

Copyright 2007

Sabotage - Chapter One

2010-04-21T18:05:00.000-04:00

Chapter One

"How'd we get into this mess!?" Mondre` yells, keeping his legs moving at a full run. "You opened that mouth of yours and stuck us in it!" Skreme yells back, staying even with him. Behind, they could hear the unit of city guards struggling to keep up, even in their lightweight mail armor. "Stop this instant!" the captain bellows. It sounds more like a gasp of air. Citizens and slaves move aside as the boys zip by in a blur down the city street. "Look out, you fools!" a noblewoman shouts as they barely miss hitting her mount. "Sorry." Mondre` says when they pass. He sees a stack of crates ahead and races over. "Help me!" he says urgently, straining as he pushes against them. Skreme helps him, pushing as hard as he can. The crates tip then tumble over into the street. The sound of breaking wood is a loud ruckus that grabs everyone's attention. "You little pests!" cries the merchant of the store. They were already too far to pay attention. "Get back here!" he shouts, shaking his fist. The guards kick and climb over the shattered boxes. A wagon pulls across the road, blocking the boys' way. "This way." Skreme says, grabbing Mondre`‘s sleeve. The captain sees them turn to an alleyway. "We have them now!" he shouts to his men. They pick up speed. They come to a stop at the entranceway and have a look. They can see supplies stacked in neat towers against the walls, barrels of wine by store or tavern backdoors, but only a single person sits in the alley. The man looks up to see the unit step in front of him. "Human. Did you see two boys come through here?" the captain asks. The man blinks then gives a slight shake of his head. "No, Protectors of Veud. I have only been here." he says. The captain's face droops into a frown. "Where is your master?" he asks. The boys watch from a shingled roof as the unit interrogates the old human. "That was close." Mondre` says to Skreme privately. Skreme nods, but gives him a sharp look with his autumn brown eyes. His diamond shaped pupils were thin slits. "Next time, keep your mouth closed." he says to Mondre`. "How was I to know he would call the Guards?" Mondre` says to him. Skreme gazes back down at the guards. His long brown umber hair was drifting in a small wind. Mondre`'s own long blonde hair was tied back with a leather strip. Strands tickle his neck. His piercing green eyes gaze at his cousin carefully. "I didn’t mean to." he says to him. "I know you didn’t." Skreme says to him, taking a deep calming breath then sighs. "Did you hear that?" a guard below asks. The boys back away from the edge. They scurry across the rooftops then slow down once they are far enough away. Mondre` sucks in a breath of air. It smelled a great deal better up here than on ground level. A flock of bright cinnamon birds fly overhead. The vast Veudian palace can be seen amid the small chimney stacks, reaching into the clouds with it's hundreds of spires like huge slate blue claws. Flags with the Western Daemoniacs' emblem on it flap in a cool breeze around the palace walls. A smile makes it's way across his face. Skreme notices his expression. "What are you so cheery about?" he asks curiously. "Just thinking about what Eresal will say when we tell him." Mondre` replies. "I know what he'll say. 'You do realize they will tell High Advisor Everdron about chasing you, even if they do not know that it was you. He will be smart enough to realize who it was. You should stop while you still have a neck'." Skreme says, raising his voice to a high pitch. Mondre` restrains his laughter, but can't help grinning. "He doesn't want us to get hurt. He'll always be that way, especially since his sister was....." He goes quiet. "Yes, well. She was too young to know better. That inconsiderate father of theirs should've placed her under the care of a better slave than an old coot." Skreme says. He walks along the narrow top of the roof. Mondre` walks behind him, folding his arms behind his head. “You’re right, I guess.” he says. “Of course I am.” Skreme says. He comes to the end of the roof then slides down the side and hops onto another. "It looks like we can get down here." he says. They jump down into another alley then peek out the entrance. They can see that they were in the high levels of the city. Carpets with intricate patterns hang from wide balconies to dry in the sun. Designs cover the doors, each a masterpiece in itself. People walk over the walkway bridges that have sparkling clear water running underneath. Many have an aura of color an inch or so around their body and most wear rich elaborate clothes. The rest don't have either. Wagons and carriages have to move carefully along with the people on foot. The boys saunter on out, going with the crowd. Everyone was talking so much that it was hard to hear anything. It was all the same to Mondre`. What was popular in ladies' fashion, the best spices to be found in which store, gossip about what the High King was doing over the Abyss. One conversation catches his attention. "I heard the Eastern Demons are planning to attack. Very soon." someone says in a soft voice. Mondre` stops to listen. Skreme stops by him. "Quiet! You don't know if that's true. If one of the Protectors heard you, you'd be sent to the dungeons for conspiracy." another beside the first hisses. "But that's what I heard. I'm not a traitor." the first says inelastic. "Quiet." the second says. She had noticed Mondre` and Skreme standing near them. The people hurry off. The boys return to following the crowd. "Did you hear that?" Mondre` asks. Skreme lifts his shoulders up then back down in a shrug. "It's most likely a rumor to scare the humans." he says. "Are you positive of that?" Mondre` asks. "Of course I am." Skreme says haughtily, walking faster. Mondre` goes to keep up. He feels something catch his boot. He yells and falls over to land on the hard stone. He winces then looks for what he tripped over. A woman in ragged clothing sits against the wall with her legs jutting out into the street, which he had tripped over. Her face is dirty. He can tell her skin is lighter from the streaks where tears had washed the dirt away. Her big eyes gaze at him, full of apology. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you." she says in a soft voice that is close to a whisper. "It's fine. I wasn't paying attention." he says, rising to his feet. She grabs his sleeve. "Please. Do you have any food you could give me?" she asks. "No. We don't carry food with us." Skreme says flatly, standing by Mondre`. "I'm sorry. But we don't have any." Mondre` says. She releases his sleeve, despair showing on her face. He thinks of what he could say to help her. Skreme walks away. "Come on." he says over his shoulder. Mondre` walks after him. Laughter makes him look back. A group of men had gathered around her. 'What are they doing?' he wonders. One man kicks the girl, making her cry out. He goes rigid. He is about to run over, but Skreme grabs his arm. "We can't help her." he says. "Yes, we can." Mondre` argues. "No, we can't. If anyone finds out, we'll be in trouble. You know that." Skreme says. Mondre` looks back at the group and the girl. They were laughing and kicking her repeatedly in the legs. Mondre` grits his teeth then turns away. He keeps quiet, angry at Skreme, but he knew his cousin was right. If they had tried to help, they might have been able to stop them, but the Protectors would have come. The next unit might recognize them. Thankfully, the last one didn't. Or didn't give the notion of knowing. 'Maybe we could've eluded the Protectors after we stopped those men.' he thinks. Then Skreme speaks up. "Let's go to Ichberd's Market. They might have something new there." "I suppose." Mondre` mumbles. Skreme doesn't seem to notice his gloomy tone. "We should hurry. Or the fifth late Tone crowd will buy all of it before we get there." he says. They come to a wide bridge decorated with flowering vines. Two guards stand infront of it. One hears their footsteps and turns. "What are you two doing back here?" he snaps, stepping in their way. "We're looking for term seed for supper." Mondre` says. The guard looks down at his right hand, which has a silver ring with a pea sized pale green stone set in it. Nothing happens. He turns to Skreme. "And you?" "We need to get the seed then we're going home to help our mother cook." Skreme says. The guard looks back at the ring. Again, nothing. He frowns, facing the boys. He turns to his partner, who shrugs, his armor clicking from the motion. The first guard shakes his head then waves them on. "Hurry off then." he says. "Yes sir." they say and run across the bridge. "I nearly thought they would have found out this time." Mondre` says to Skreme as they weave down to the merchant's square. "Ha! Those lodestone rings can't detect anything." Skreme laughs to him. "I believed you when you said we were heading home." Mondre` says to him. "I know. It's so easy, it's sad." Skreme says with a loud chuckle. A few people turn to him with puzzled looks. He hurries along with Mondre` across the street to a store. "Master Ream. Master Andre`. It's nice to see you both again." an older lady says. A kind smile is on her face and a faint blossom pink aura surrounds her. "It's nice to see you as well, Zuenila. Has anything new arrived yet?" Mondre` asks. She gets a thoughtful look. "I think there was something, just came yesterday." she says, digging under the counter. Mondre` leans over to see it. Skreme pulls him back when she stands. "Here it is." she says. She holds up a mirror with a mother of pearl backing, surrounding a coin sized lodestone. "A distance mirror?" Skreme asks. "Very good, Master Ream. Yes, it is. Twenty-two moons just for you if you make it a gift for a certain girl, maybe?" she says. "I don't have a certain girl in my life." he says. "What about your mother? Maybe she will like it." she suggests. "I know who we can give it to. Can you save it for us? We don't have the money yet." Mondre` says. "Certainly, young master. But if you don't come by within the week, then I'll have to let someone else buy it." she says. "We will. We promise." he says. "All right. Goodbye." she says, waving. "Goodbye." he says, waving back. They walk along the stores when Skreme says. "Look at that." "At what?" Mondre` asks, facing the direction he was glancing in. "That." Skreme points at a blob of red liquid in a glass. "That is a Phoenix tear, caught as the great bird was crying for it's parent." a woman behind the counter says. There is no aura around her. "Why purchase something like that?" Skreme asks. The woman comes inches from his face, cleverly smirking. "Place it in your enemy's drink and it burns them inside out. It can also burn away poison in your body." she says. 'That would hurt.' Mondre` thinks, touching his stomach. "If that's true, then there are plenty of people I could use it on." Skreme mumbles. "It is thirty two moons." she says. He snorts and waves a hand. "I said I could. I said nothing about doing it right now." he says. "We don't have the money right now. That's all." Mondre` says, pulling his cousin away. "Snobbish imp." the woman mutters under her breath. Skreme stops and turns back. His eyes darken. "Excuse you?" He sounds low and threatening. Mondre` notices the woman try to withhold a shiver. "I was speaking to someone else." she says quickly. Skreme narrows his eyes then the two step into the gathering. The air is filled with the sound of bells ringing in a cheery familiar tune. The crowd was already thick, moving down the street like a two way river. Mondre` and Skreme have to push to get through. They move to one side to catch their breath. "This is madness!" Skreme says, watching the people shove against each other. "We should travel to the shops. That might be better." Mondre` says. "No. We might touch someone and accidentally bring them with us." Skreme says. "We should just walk along the outside. We'll be able to move faster that way." Slipping through the masses, they move on the edge. Something shiny catches Mondre`'s eye, making him stop. "This way." he says, running through a gap of people. Skreme goes to follow when he pauses. Mondre` comes to a booth that has shining objects swinging from the roof. They look like strange crystal cocoons ready to open. A man smiles at him. "Welcome. What would you like to buy today?" he asks. He has a sharp blue aura, but not a strong one. Mondre` was gazing at the cocoons. "What are those?" he asks. Skreme stands behind two people while guards pick a boy up off the ground. An apple lays a few feet away. "You filthy thief! You are going straight to the dungeons." the captain snarls. 'They think he's stealing?' Skreme wonders then mumbles. "He should have it since it's on the ground. I doubt anyone would want it now." The captain turns his way. "Who said that?!" "What is that?" Mondre` asks. He points to a multicolored spiral horn. It looked to be an opal, wrapped in leather straps attached to a nail on the post of the booth. "This, my young fellow, is a unicorn's horn." the merchant says. He slips on a pair of gloves and takes down the horn. It becomes wet and drips a liquid. "It is very delicate, so you must wear gloves. It is eighty-five suns. But for you, I will bring it down to fifty suns." he says. 'That would be perfect for my collection.' Mondre` thinks. He rifles through his pockets, hopeful of some money. He finds a wad of paper and a key in one pocket and a dead insect in the other. He flicks the insect away then unravels the paper. "That's where my notes went." he mumbles. The merchant clears his throat, making him look up. "I....don't have any money at this time." he says. The merchant's face becomes blank. He puts the horn back and takes the gloves off. "Then you have no business here." he says with a flat tone. 'How dare he speak to me in such a manner?' Mondre` thinks. He goes to reprimand him, but stops himself. He didn't want to bring attention to himself again. He puts the key and notes back in his pockets and stalks off. He stops a few yards away. "Skreme?" he calls. Skreme is nowhere to be found. He searches for him in the crowd. Yelling ahead has him making his way through then squeezes between a couple to see a scene. Guards stand over someone under a group of beech trees. Mondre` scoots by enough to see that the someone is Skreme. He has a bloody lip and dirt all over his face. A soldier stands over him, laughing. "That is what you get, peasant, for talking back to me." he leers underneath his helmet. Skreme scowls. His eyes are narrowed and black, except for his irises, which are bright yellow with thin black pupils. 'Oh no.' Mondre` slips through the ring of soldiers and helps him up. "I'm terribly sorry about him. He sometimes rambles when he shouldn't." he apologizes. Skreme glares at him. "I do not!" he snaps at him. The captain narrows his eyes. "Who are you?" he growls. "I'm his brother. I won't let him do this next time." Mondre` replies. The squad chortles. The captain's eyes glow a malicious maroon. "There will not be a next time, for either of you." he says. "What?" Mondre` asks. "You both are going to be punished." the captain says. The ring of guards closes in. Mondre` swallows hard. "P...punished? How?" he asks. He and Skreme are grabbed from behind. "Punished by execution." the captain says. Mondre`'s eyes widen. He gives Skreme a mean look. "What did you say to them?" he asks as their hands are shackled infront of them. The shackles shrink around their ankles and wrists. Skreme shrugs, rubbing his lip with his shoulder. His eyes had returned to their original colors. "Move." a soldier orders, shoving Mondre` forward. They make their way down the road. People point and laugh when they pass by. They throw vegetables and eggs. Skreme grits his teeth. "I am going to make them regret this!" he says to Mondre` angrily. "Don't do anything foolish..." Something hits a guard, knocking him off his feet. The object lands at Mondre`'s feet. It is a red orb. Skreme blinks. "Where did that come from?" he asks. It rolls back a foot then shoots at Mondre`. He ducks out of the way. It hits the guard in the chest behind him. The guard falls, releasing him. He runs over to help Skreme. He places his hands on the guard's breastplate. The soldier is sent flying fifteen feet before he hits the ground with the clanking of metal and loud obscenities. Mondre` leads Skreme through the crowd, trying not to trip over the shackles. He can hear the guards shouting from the surprise attack. "I'm getting tired of running!" Skreme yells. "So am I!" Mondre` says loudly. The red orb rolls under his foot, tripping him up. He lands face forward. "Get up." Skreme hisses, pulling him to his feet. "Psssst!" They look to an alleyway. A strange looking boy with gray hair and orange eyes with blue rimming his pupils grabs the orb then gestures for them to follow. A single brass earring dangles from his left earlobe and he has no aura. "Over here!" he says, looking down the street. Mondre` rubs his sore nose. "Perhaps he can help us." he says. The soldiers could be heard coming closer. "We should go then." Skreme agrees. They dash into the alleyway, following the mysterious teenager. The boy stops in the middle of a backstreet and kneels down. He slips his fingers under a flat stone and pulls it out. A pit big enough for a normal person to fit in is underneath. "Hurry!" the boy hisses. A horrid smell seeps out of the hole. Skreme grimaces. "I don't want to go down there." he whines. Mondre` pushes him with his shoulder. "Go!" Skreme loses his balance and falls in feet first. "Whaaaaoof!" Mondre` hears along with a thud. He goes next, sliding inside. He lands beside Skreme, who was getting to his feet. The boy comes last. He closes the stone lid then slips down, landing with a small pat of his boots. They all calm their breathing. Mondre`'s eyes soon adjust to the dark. They were in a tunnel covered in green slime. It stops at a point farther down and splits off in other directions. The sound of waterfalls is soft, but audible. 'We must be under the water systems.' he wonders then coughs. The smell of rot makes him want to gag, burning his eyes. "Where are we?" he asks, covering his nose. "I don't know, but I hate it." Skreme says. He was staring hard at the cuffs. A dark green, almost black, aura appears around his body then gathers around the shackles. The cuffs stretch slowly, letting him slide out. Mondre` concentrates on his. The metal grows. He slips out his wrists and ankles. The shackles hit the ground with a rattling crash. "Ssshhhhh!" the boy says, staring up at the lid. Mondre` doesn't move, straining his ears to listen. Footsteps and shouts come from overhead. He holds his breath, noticing shadows pass over the sewer. "Did you see where they went to?" "They couldn’t have gone far." "I know they went this way." "That way!" someone shouts. The shadows hurry to one side and disappear. The boys let out their breaths. "We appreciate your help." Mondre` says. "Your friend helped me. I was only repaying him." the boy says, shifting the satchel strap on his shoulder. Mondre` faces Skreme, amazed by what was said. Skreme has his eyes shut tight. "You helped him?" Mondre` asks. Skreme gives a small nod then holds up a finger. "I have one question though." he says. "Sure." the boy says. "What's moving around my feet?" Skreme asks shakily. Mondre` and the boy look down. A thick greenish-gray tentacle was worming it's way around Skreme's legs. "What is that?" Mondre` gasps, stepping back. "Don't move." the boy says. "I don't plan to." Skreme mutters between clenched teeth. The boy kneels and begins to delicately remove the tentacle. The more he touches it, the more it constricts. He searches for something to remove it with. He grabs a bottle and rubs it between his hands. Then he places it in the tentacle's grasp. It sticks to the warm glass, so he tugs on it. It wraps around tight, moving from Skreme's legs to pull on the bottle. The boy lets go. The tentacle slithers away with the bottle clasped in it's suckers. The boy stands. "You can open your eyes now." Mondre` says. "What was that?" Skreme asks, opening his eyes. "A sewerpus. They're really mean things." the boy says. "What do they look like?" Skreme asks. "You don't want to know." the boy says with a grin. Mondre` speaks up just before Skreme opens his mouth to tell the boy off. "I'm Andre`. This is Ream." "I'm Ryuu. Nice to meet you." the boy says. "Are you a Demon?" "Yes. We both are." Mondre` says. "Why were the guards chasing you?" "We put a tanctoid on the captain's shoulder. I want to go. This place is giving me the chills." Skreme says. "We should go anyway. The shackles may have tracking magic on them. I know a place. But it's on the other side of the city. It'll take about a tone." Ryuu says. "What do you think?" Mondre` asks. "Let's go. It'll be better than being stuck here or in the palace." Skreme says. "You're from the castle? Are you spies?" Ryuu asks, gripping his satchel strap. "We wouldn't be down here if we were." Skreme says tartly. "We're servants. We had errands in the city. But that didn't happen." Mondre` says. Ryuu looks to his finger. A lodestone ring is on it, but it does nothing, so he lets go of the strap. "All right. It's this way." he says. He starts walking deeper into the tunnel. The cousins follow. He steps into a lane of water and sinks to his knees. All sorts of gunk bobs up from the waves he creates as he walks. Skreme becomes rigid with revulsion. Mondre` feels the same way. "You asked for it." he says. "No, I didn't." Skreme says then raises his voice. "Is there an easier way?" "If you want to go up top where the soldiers are, we'll go that way." Ryuu says, pausing in the sewage. Skreme glances to the shackles. Mondre` can tell he was weighing his options. He turns back, looking angry, and follows them. Mondre` steps into the mucky water. He grimaces when the slime seeps into his boots and moves up to his knees. He wonders what else could be in the water he can not see. 'One false move and I am in trouble. All right. Just stay calm.' he thinks. “Why don't you block it?” Skreme says, walking up to him. He stands beside him, untouched by the muck. A wall of grimy water sits two feet from his clothes. Mondre` feels foolish and focuses. Skreme sees a golden yellow aura strengthen around his body. The water moves away from his legs. Ryuu turns as the water sloshes. “How are you doing that?” he asks, gaping at Mondre` and Skreme, who stand in dry spots. “It's a technique we were taught to use in the laundry rooms.” Skreme says. Ryuu stares, seeming awe-struck. “Are you going to stand there or can we go?” Skreme asks. "Oh, yeah." Ryuu says. He takes them through the sewers. "We shouldn't use too much power or he might become suspicious." Mondre` says to Skreme. Skreme gives a short nod of agreement. The unusual sounds makes moving in the tunnels feel like tones going by. Skreme’s lip heals over in the time that passes. He keeps a sleeve over his nose. Mondre` holds a sleeve to his own nose, blocking most of the stench. Ryuu doesn't seem to mind the smell. He was busy explaining who lives where in the city to Mondre`. They soon find a half dry landing to walk on and rest. Mondre` takes a boot off to wring out his stocking. "Panter Cae and Doma Kenter live here. They're always chasing me around." Ryuu says, leaning against the wall to wipe gunk from his leg. "Panter and Doma? Who are they?" Mondre` asks, slipping his stocking back on. "Panter is a butcher and Doma is a weaver on this street. We sometimes take some food from Panter. We have to borrow thread to sew our clothes from Doma." Ryuu replies. “Whose we?” Skreme asks. “The guild I live with.” Ryuu says. “So you're a thief?” Skreme asks. “Yeah. But I won't steal from you.” Ryuu says. “We don't have any money for you to take.” Mondre` says with a shrug. They become quiet when something splashes in the distance. “Can we go now?” Skreme asks. "Good idea." Ryuu says. They continue on. The walls glisten in the faint light seeping in from the drains. Water drips from the ceiling, landing in their hair as they march. "This is absolutely revolting. How can anything stand living down here? When we get back, I am going to have someone clean this place!" Skreme was ranting in Mondre`'s mind. He steps into a pit and falls in. He gasps, distracted, releasing his aura. The sewage comes in, rising up to his chest. "Aaaaarrrrrggghhhh!" He leaps out, sending water all over his cousin as he lands beside him. “Yuck!” Mondre` says, covering his face. Ryuu turns and chuckles. "Are you all right?" he asks. Skreme doesn't reply. He was too busy wiping the slime off his clothes while muttering things under his breath. It sticks to his hands and arms. “We're fine.” Mondre` says, wiping the gunk off his face with his tunic. It leaves smears over his cheeks. "With the way this clings to us, we probably won't ever be able to get it off." he says to Skreme. Skreme gets a look of horror on his face as he looks down at the slime. Mondre` walks away, snickering. "That isn't funny." Skreme growls at him. “It is too.” Mondre` says to him. “It isn't.” “It is.” They don't encounter too many creatures. Just some giant rats, a smaller sewerpus, which Ryuu has to fend off. A cat black from the muck follows them before vanishing into the shadows. Ryuu slaps the water to scare off anything nearby. The sound makes a flock of hikbats wake up and fly out of a crevice. Mondre` holds Skreme's shirt to keep him from running after the bats zip over their heads. "I really despise this." Skreme whines, covering his head. “They won't eat us. They're vegetarians.” Mondre` says. “They still bite.” Skreme says. Ryuu scares the critters away by swinging his satchel at them. "How long have you been in the castle?" he asks after they fly away. "All our lives." Mondre` replies, letting Skreme go. Ryuu places the satchel back over his shoulder then pats Skreme on the back. "It's not so bad once you get used to it." Ryuu says then walks ahead. Skreme shivers. “Get used to it?! How are you able to get used to this?” he asks Mondre` while he checks for the slimy handprint. “How should I know?” Mondre` says. Ryuu crosses a wide lane of sewage to a wall that has a metal ladder laying against it. “Here we are.” he says, climbing up. Skreme takes a step back then takes a running leap over the eighteen foot wide lane instead of walking through it. Mondre` follows his example, landing on his feet. Ryuu was peeking out from under the grate then waves a hand for them to come. Mondre` climbs up beside him and looks out. Skreme comes up beside him. They see it is now night. Ryuu climbs out and helps the cousins up. Mondre` feels relieved to be out of the sewers. Ryuu places the sewer lid down then has the two follow him into a crowd of people, who stand in the streets around lit stores, keeping the boys out of sight from any soldiers. People clutch their pouches and purses when they see the three messy boys pass. They come to a small building with cheers and lights coming from within. They stop at the doorstep, where he places his palm on the door. "Is the door locked?" Skreme asks. "I need to let the others inside know it's me and not a guard.” Ryuu says. “Are they unable to recognize your voice?” Mondre` asks. “The guards can use magic to sound like any guild member. So it's safe to use touch, not sound. A rune on the other side tells the guild who it is." Ryuu says. "So do you know any other sort of techniques?" Mondre` asks. "My blood crystal ball." Ryuu says. A small group of people laugh as they walk down the street, coming closer. "Can we go in?" Skreme asks. The door opens right then. A teenage girl with shoulder length black hair and deep orange eyes stands in the doorway. Mondre` sees she has a faint flame orange aura to her. She smiles when she sees Ryuu and hugs him. "Where have you been? I have been worried." she says. "Sorry, Ashla. I found servants from the castle." he says. He points to Skreme and Mondre` behind him. She turns to Skreme then, when she turns to Mondre`, her facial expression turns to amazement. "From the palace?" she asks. "Yes." Ryuu says. She smiles. It was a kind, welcoming smile. "Welcome to the Fireskins. Come on in." she says, opening the door wider. They all go inside.

Copyright 2007

Coming Soon-Sabotage First Chapter

2010-04-12T17:46:00.000-04:00

Ever wonder what Demons do while they are not terrorizing us? In my new novel, you will learn about the life of Mondre`, Skreme, and their friends as they fight off other demons and the beings we call angels, all in time for lunch. In the next 24 weeks, I will be releasing one chapter at a time for you to enjoy. I hope you find this book very entertaining. Because I did writing it.
If you like this story and wish to read more after I release this, I will release another one of my many tales to be told.

Traveling around the world

2010-04-12T04:50:00.002-04:00

How would you like to visit a tropical island for buried treasure? Or walk through ruins that are centuries old? I have always wanted to travel since my Dad told me of his travels 1 and a 1/2 times around the world. You can too, no matter what happens, and be inspired by the beauty of the people and places that surround us. The foods are excellent, if somewhat strange, and the enviroments are bewildering and fascinating. Just imagine how ancient civilizations used to be in places like that. Wonderful, is it not? ^_^ I certainly enjoy thinking of it, and now, I hope you do as well.

Store is open!

2010-04-10T13:41:00.001-04:00

The store is now open! http://www.fire-and-reign.com/ Come check it out. It has all a cosplayer/otaku/collector's needs, from candles, lighters, and jewelry to swords, axes, and daggers, even anime series, manga, and real weapons from the japanese shows! It is still being built, but you all can browse, pick what you like, and buy. Warning: The store is only for Canada and the United States, but friends and family can order and ship gifts for anyone overseas. ^_^ I also have books on different subjects. And if you have any suggestions for more, just comment and I will check it. Thank you all and I will talk to you soon. ^_^

Adventures Into The Unknown!

2010-03-18T18:33:00.000-04:00

Unique Gold Prospecting E-book(R)s, Treasure Guides For Explorers, Treasure Hunters and Prospectors. Click Here!

Worldwide Pet Sitting Directory.

2010-03-15T15:21:00.002-04:00

Interactive Site Matching Pet Owners And Pet Sitters Worldwide. Automatic Notification Of Pet Sitting Assignments. Click Here!

Treasure Hunting Metal Detecting Expo.

2010-03-14T11:22:00.002-04:00

A Complete How To Guide To Metal Detecting And Discovering Lost Treasure From The Beach And Water. Sections Include Hunting The Dry Beach, Shallow Surf, Wading, Scuba And Shipwreck Detecting. VLF, Pulse Induction And Multi Frequency Metal Detectors. Click Here!

Public Health SOS: The Shadow Side Of The Wireless Revolution.

2010-03-13T12:40:00.002-05:00

Electromagnetic Factors In Health Is An Emerging Public Health Issue Globally, Creating Electrical Sensitivity And Being Linked To Illnesses Of Many Kinds. Learn What The Independent Science Shows And What You Can Do To Create Electromagnetic Safety. Click Here!

Cooking

2010-02-26T11:03:00.000-05:00

I love food! Everyone does, I believe. I will eat anything that is edible, from liver to calamari (squid) to baking powder tasting pancakes (my mistake >,<). I actually once was fired from a job because I was cooking so much last year and nearly burned down the house at the same time. I was trying to bake pies. One was a pecan pie and the other was a raspberry, strawberry, and blueberry pie (something I was experimenting with). They turned out great, not burnt at all. The reason I almost burned down the house was because I was trying to put a crust on the berry pie and forgot to trim the edges. The crust melted and landed on the hot bottom, where it started to smoke REALLY bad. I had to air the entire house out, but thankfully, the smoke detector did not go off. But I did get fired, though it is not that bad, trust me. Always remember to trim the crust before you bake a pie. Do not make that mistake like I did. ^_^

Daydreaming

2010-01-29T11:36:00.000-05:00

Do you often find yourself thinking of situations you would rather be in than be sitting in a cubicle at work? Or do you have dreams that are so vivid and seem to have a storyline behind them? I do all the time and you know what I do? I write it ALL down. From the amazing travels to the most romantic to the downright macabre, (if it is that sort of dream after a horror movie) and begin thinking of a character that would fit into that genre. In no time, you could have dozens of stories of a variety of tales! I have been daydreaming since I can remember, at home, at school, everywhere, but I never thought I had the talent of explaining them. I would just act them out, being a kid and all. But then I turned thirteen and my grandpa was in the hospital. My mother decided to write a story to keep me and my brother calm during the rough time. It did, though he finally succumbed to Diabetes a day before September 11th. A year later, I decided to try it myself. My family enjoyed it thoroughly, which inspired me to write down more of the dreams and daydreams I could remember. Six years have passed since then. I still write and have actually published a book recently called The Land Of Kae on the self-publishing website Lulu.com. I have plenty of others in the copyright office and many more ready to go. Though none of you have to go through what I did to be inspired, just look around you and start writing the first things that pop into your head, awake and asleep. I wish you all good luck. ^_~

Panning for Gold

2010-01-14T13:55:00.000-05:00

Panning for Gold: 15 Investigations to Enrich Middle School Mathematics