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 Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 5:59 pm
With the exception of his and Amy's interesting relationship and the almost pack that they had formed, Will explained what had happened to Janice.
"I hate it when they think they can do this stuff on their own," she huffed, making him a cup of coffee with her own. She'd worked with him long enough to know he liked it black. "It just causes no end of trouble. I hope she plans on compensating you for that." A werewolf herself, she understood how difficult it was to try to do anything in wolf form close to the full moon. Thinking about waking up in bed with her, Will shrugged.
"Compensation enough, I guess." He wouldn't have asked--or probably accepted--anything more, but it was fun to think about. "How's dad coming along with those other cases?" Flipping through a stack of her own paperwork, Janice shrugged.
"Well, but then, he always does. Tell me again why he doesn't do this professionally himiself?"
"Says he gets a sense of satisfaction out of being in the police force." They both made indelicate comments to that under their breath--which they would never do in front of the old (old, old, old) police officer. "Anyway, I didn't miss any calls?" She shook her head. "Alright. Let me know if you need anything." Grabbing the small incoming pile of papers for him, Will disappeared into his office, promptly putting them in another pile of papers that probably wouldn't be looked at for a long while yet. He had enough on his plate as it was. He felt like he was on the verge of a breakthrough in finding Cadeon Woede.
Sitting behind his computer, he pulled out the files and pulled up his notes and the chart that he'd put together specifically for this case. It glared back at him, unwilling to give up its secrets just yet, but that was alright--Will was patient. He studied it as if he had all the time in the world, thinking and rethinking every possibility. As almost an afterthought, he flipped through the files to find Amy's description of what happened. It was a story of magic, where less than half of it was truely understood, even by those who'd taken place in it. As an investigator in a city filled to the brim with dark magic, this was nothing new.
With few other questions unanswered, he grabbed the phone and called up a couple of contacts, asking them a few questions about portals and summoning spells. Oh, and while he had them on the phone, what the hell kind of creature had blood red eyes and torn angel wings? The first set of questions he got answers to. The second, not so much, but that was more of a personal interest anyway.
If only there were a way to use the door...
The phone rang, shattering his train of thought.
"Lykae," he answered without thinking.
"Lark," he heard from the other end, making him smile.
"Wow, I missed you," he said, feigning surprise. "I haven't talked to you in forever! It's been what, a few hours now?"
"Will, I found a way to get there." His smile disappeared.
"What, to Cade's land?"
"Yes."
"How?" Of course, it would've been the damn door. And she would've tried it on her own. The only thing that he could ever thank the 'taur for is that he'd demanded that she close the door instead of asking her to come help him. Grudgingly, he gave Cade some credit.
"Amy, you were supposed to tell me if you found anything." He worked to keep his voice calm and cool, but when she responded that she was an adult and could take care of herself, it was difficult. "Babe, I know you're a big girl now and you don't need me to hold your hand. The reason I asked is because you said there is something, and I quote, 'very wrong', and that your Cadeon is in danger. It makes me a little nervous to think about something that would endanger a centaur." Despite the sarcasm, she accepted that well enough. He sighed.
"If you go through that door, Amy, I want to go with you."
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Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 3:25 pm
I sometimes wished my phone had a cord. I remembered twining it around my fingers in a nervous gesture, and now all I could do was wring my hands. Will didn't sound thrilled that I'd tried the door without him, and was even less thrilled that I wanted to go by myself. But I couldn't drag everyone else into this! Maybe that was selfish of me, but this was something that I'd promised myself I'd do, not something that they'd volunteered for. I wouldn't say that it was an entirely misguided feeling that they had to take care of me--I was fully aware that I wasn't a great kirin, or all that strong of a person at all--but I was an adult daggum it, and I could take care of myself.
"I'll let you know when I'm going to try it again," I told the were diplomatically, wondering who was the alpha in our little pack of two. Was he the alpha male, and I the alpha female? Though the idea of my being alpha anything was a joke in itself, much less being in a werewolf pack. "Yes, I know. Its a war zone, and I should be careful. Blank's already said that he's coming with me." And I could tell that Will was just short of doing that himself, and I appreciated the fact that he was restraining himself to an admittedly somewhat forceful request that he be invited to join me on the next one of my adventures. But I had a few more things to figure out before I tried anything again.
Most importantly, how was I going to get back? It was a romantic notion to go flying through that door as if nothing mattered but Cade, but I had responsibilities here that I couldn't deny. I had a responsibility to the chandra, to Dark, and to my parents. It seemed like, once I went, there would be a doorway for me and each of the people that I brought with me, making it two or even three times as likely that I would a. accidentally find the doorway before I did what I had to do or b. find it more easily after I finished things up. Finding those doorways would be a problem, though; it had taken Cade a month of searching to find the doorway back. But if all I lost was a month and I gained Cade and his safety, I would trade it. I just had to be assured that it would be a week, or a month. Not a year. Or two years. Or the rest of my life. Or...my life.
Done with my conversation with Will, I hung up the phone, but I was a long time from being done thinking about the situation. In an attmept to take my mind off things, even for a little while, I settled down with my laptop on the couch and opened up my manuscript for Lost and Found. It was showing interesting similarities with my current situation, but at least I could control things here. I could invent a creative way for my heroine to hunt down the doorway once she went through it, point her toward her happy ending.
I stayed like that for a while, curled up on the couch and listening to the soft rain fall. I smiled and chatted with everyone as the slowly filtered into the room with me, though I didn't have much to say. Kururu, of course, was full of a thousand questions about what I was doing and why and what it was about and so forth...
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Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 3:26 pm
Will looked over the stories that he'd looked up about the centaur princes, and over the information from the kingdom that had taken them over. It didn't seem like there was any rhyme or reason to it, simply that the other kingdom had seen the opportunity and struck at the chance for more land and power. And, of course, taxpayers. He really, really didn't want Amy involved in it, but it seemed like she was up to the tips of her pointy ears anyway. Political intrigue, war, murder...these were things that even he was only loosely involved in. He sighed. He'd have to devote some time to this.>
"Hey dad?" Of course, the older were was taking perfect care of the cases that he'd been given, and didn't Will know that? "Yeah, Janice told me that you were takin' care of it, and its nothing less than I expected. But I was wondering if you could take it over for a while. No, not long. Probably a month or so." He sighed.
"Yeah, its for that case. Cadeon Woede. Yeah." Will fought the urge to sigh again, knowing that his dad was entirely too perceptive to lie to. "Yeah, its for that girl. Look, I told you that Cadeon Woede is her new flame; you'll have your werepups eventually, old man." Maybe. At some point. Werewolves lived to a ripe old age, so 'eventually' could mean a lot of things.
"Look, son," he heard his dad say in his gravelly voice, "you were more interested in her than I've seen you in a long time." Probably since he was twenty and in the throes of young lust. Er, love.
"She's different," was the only thing he could think to say.
"That's for damn sure." His father puffed out a breath; he was probably smoking cigars, since Will's mother would be at work. "A kirin? You sure?"
"Yeah, I'm sure." There was a long stretch of silence as his father seemed to ponder on that; he hadn't just answered whether or not she was a kirin--he'd also confirmed his father's suspicions that he was still interested in her. Will waited for the inevitable you-shoud-find-a-nice-were-girl-and-settle-down thing.
"You know, you could always not find 'im."
"Dad! You're a cop; you're not supposed to say stuff like that!" Will's jaw nearly hit the floor. While he had to admit, at least to himself, that he'd thought about it once or twice, he couldn't do find it in himself to do it. It was something Amy'd asked him to do, the only thing she'd asked him to do, and he'd do it.
"Aw, what the hell. It's not like you kidnapped him or anything." There was a short pause. "Right?"
"Dad!"
"Right, right." He had the feeling his father was waving a hand neglegently. "So you've got a wild hair to go chasing after your girl's boyfriend, I can't stop you. But I'm gonna have to take some time off work."
"I happen to know that you have at least three years of vacation saved up. You can take off a few weeks for your only son." They talked out how it was going to work, and how he'd pay his dad for the time he took over the not-quite-family business and Will asked about his mom, to be polite. Assuring his dad again that he'd be there for Christmas, he exchanged pleasantries and ended the call. It was hard to keep secrets from your father the detective and werewolf. He sighed as he hung up the phone. He took the rest of the evening to tell Janice what the plan was, made his excuses and headed to his apartment to prepare.
Without knowing how long they'd be gone, it was difficult, but he grabbed his old, raggedy packpack and tossed in a change of clothes, his toothbrush, and his 9mm baretta along with a few spare rounds; he didn't know what they'd be up against, but that'd at least put a dent in it. Frowning, looked at his pitiful pack and added a small blanket and a first aid kit, just in case, along with some matches and a flashlight. That done, he opted to wait until Amy gave him a call to tell him when they were leaving, and assured himself that if she left without him, he'd hunt her down and kill her himself.
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Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 3:27 pm
"Are you sure you want to go?" Cornet asked nervously, for the millionth time. "I think you should ask Dark to go with you, too." Amy shook her head, looking down at her duffle bag.
"No, one of us has to be here," she pointed out reasonably. "Someone has to run the shop. I know she won't like that Will's going and she's staying here, but I'll have Blank with me."
"Honestly," Harlequin said with an unladylike snort. "What's an angel gonna do? You should've tried to rustle up a demon or two to take with you. Or a witch." Subtle. Amy shook her head again, going to stand in front of her closet. What did one take on a cross-dimensional (maybe?) adventure. A change of clothes, a nice dress, an extra pair of sneakers and definitely a couple of pairs of panties. Her hair brush, soap, shampoo, conditioner and her toothbrush, though she left the now pitifully empty first aid kit. She'd have to remember to restock it once she got back; Cade had used most of her supplies when he'd first arrived.
"Probably more than you think," she told Harlequin after a moment.
"Give it up, Harley," Kururu said on a sigh, flopping onto Amy's bed as she watched the kirin pack. "She's not taking any of us with her." The last part was said a little sourly, and with much disappointment. When Amy had given the full, not quite so freaked out version of what had happened, they swore that they'd all go with her to rescue Cade--Harlequin and Cornet especially seemed rather fond of the centaur, making Amy smile a little to herself.
"I'm sure I'll be back before you can even miss me. And I'm not sure you'd want to go anyway, Harlequin. You might miss Dontaine stopping by the manor if you leave." Muttering something Amy was glad she couldn't hear clearly, the witch stormed out of the room while Cornet and Kururu nearly cracked a rib laughing. Even Leilani laughed a little, though it was questionable whether she got the joke or not.
"So when are you gonna leave?" Cornet asked.
"Tonight, hopefully." It was the day after the full moon. Amy didn't want to risk not being able to do it at all as it got closer to the new moon. She doubted very much that her own magic was tied to the moon, but the islands were. For now, they were forgiving of her pitiful skills, but if they had less to lend...she shook her head.
"You should probably call Will and let him know." At that, Amy sighed. Taking Will with her when she went to find Cade was the best idea, she knew, but she still wasn't entirely comfortable with it. Just as she wasn't entirely comfortable going without him. Things were getting sticky between them again, and she didn't want to worry about that on top of everything else. She just had to keep Cade in mind, and remember the reasons she'd wanted to dissassociate herself with Will in the first place.
Right.
"Kururu, can you bring me the phone?" she said on a sigh. Before she zipped her bag, it was laying on the bed in front of her, almost as if the pixie hadn't moved at all; she had more energy than you should be able to contain in that little body. Grabbing it, Amy made the phone call she hadn't been looking forward to.
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Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 3:28 pm
Will and Amy stood looking at the door for a moment, Kururu, Cornet, Harlequin and Leilani peering out at them from the windows on either side. To make sure there were no mistakes, Amy had asked that they wait on the other side of the door for the duration of...whatever it was they were doing. Once she, Will, and Blank had gone, they could come back out.
Blank had miraculously unearthed a broadsword, surprising everyone. Harlequin had demanded to know where it had come from, and if he could even use it, but he did little more than raise his eyebrow at her, letting her know that he could use his sword just fine. Stuttering and stammering, she hadn't asked him any more after that, and neither had anyone else. He looked a little more grim than he usually did, even during times like when Amy had gone missing and he'd answered to Dark, but this time he was leaving Dontaine behind. He'd left a note explaining what was going on and why he hadn't told him or brought him along, along with something else... Unlike Will and Amy, he hadn't brought anything else with him.
"Are you ready?" Amy asked her escorts.
"As I'll ever be," Will said, resigned.
"Blank?" He nodded. Amy looked at the door once more.
"And you said you figured out how to work this thing?" the werewolf asked, somewhat suspicious.
"For the most part, yeah."
"Thanks, I'm glad you could comfort me on that." Blank snickered at that.
"Look, I told you that you didn't have to come," Amy said, glaring up at Will, who shook his head. He wasn't staying behind, not if she was going. And really, nothing short of an act of God would stop the kirin now. Pushing his sarcasm out of her mind, she looked at the door. She was trying something different this time.
Ask and ye shall recieve. "Where is Rydstrom Woede?" Both Will and Blank jerked around to face her, but she waved a hand at them so they wouldn't say anything.
Seek and ye shall find. "I'm looking for the crowned prince of Van Teppes." She thought about everything both Will and Cade had told her about Rydstrom Woede--how he was slightly taller and more solemn than his brother, more somber, more serious but very similar in looks. She thought about him trying to hold a war-torn kingdom together, wondered where he would be then.
Knock and the door shall be opened to you. Lifting her hand, she rapped on the door three times. Blank, Will, and everyone in the house held their breath as she pushed the door open.
"You said you were ready," she said to Will with a shaky smile.
"Age before beauty," he announced, the first one to disappear into the door. Amy followed immidiately after, then Blank, who looked at the door for a moment before closing it behind them.
When Cornet scrambled up to check the door, opening it wide, there wasn't a trace of any of them, except for a letter addressed to Dontaine, left where Blank had been standing just moments before.
"They're gone," she breathed, bending to pick up the letter.
"Do you think they'll be back?" Kururu said shakily.
"Of course," the witch said, though she didn't sound as sure of herself as she wanted to. They had to come back.
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Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 3:30 pm
Dontaine--
If by some miracle one of the girls hasn't told you yet, I've gone on a little adventure. Apparently while she was on her little walkabout, Amy found a way to get to Cade's kingdom in Never Never Land and has taken it upon herself to go and rescue him from whatever trouble has befallen him. She makes a big deal about doing things herself, but she'll probably just land herself in trouble if she goes unsupervised. I'll leave it up to you what you tell Dark, but the wolf has gone as well. He's not as good as she is at keeping the kirin out of trouble, but he'll do in a pinch.
With luck, we'll all be back within the next week or two, maybe with the taur in tow.
I know, you deserve more than just this letter, telling you that I'm gone. It's selfish, but I'll sleep better knowing that you're still on the islands, not in any more trouble than usual. Maybe thinking about me from time to time. Yeah, that'd be nice. Don't worry--I'll be thinking of you, too.
And Dontaine? I should've told you this sooner, and I should've told you this in person, but I love you. I'll tell you myself when I get back, if you want to hear it.
With love,
Blank.
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Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 3:24 pm
Harlequin clutched the letter in her hand and took a steadying breath as she finally closed in on the manor. Of course, she'd already steamed it open and read its contents, and it had nearly made her cry, both for herself and for he and Dontaine. She didn't know what was going on on the other side of that door, but she was afraid that Blank...well, he must at least think there's a chance he wouldn't come back. And now she was delivering it to Dontaine. She'd made sure that none of the other girls had said anything; she wanted it to come from Blank, in a manner of speaking. Trying to fit her I-don't-give-a-damn attitude back in place, she rang the bell. And waited.
As the doorbell rang Dontaine opened the door. He had already been heading to the door, his clothes discheveled, wearing a white shirt and blue jeans, no hat or leash, only his collar from his normal wears was that he was wearing, and a plush clenched in his hands, worry in his eyes. When the door bell rang he flung open the door ready to pounce on Blank with the hope that he was worrying for nothing. But he was greeted by Harlequin and his ears drooped slightly, "oh hey Harley," he greeted her, though he looked behind her hoping he might see Blank approaching. He had a bad feeling that he couldn't shake. "Have you seen Blank I haven't seen him since the full moon." He said half paying attention to the girl as he shifted from foot to foot.
Harlequin rustled up a wavery smile from somewhere at his greeting, tossing her hair a little. It had been three days now since he'd heard from Blank...since Amy'd gone MIA. She was sure he'd heard that Amy had come back with Dark, safe and sound, but she knew no one had heard this news already. "Yeah, I saw him last night," she tried to say lightly. "He wanted me to give this to you." Of course, she'd resealed the letter and it was flawless as she handed it to him.
Dontaine took the envelope and looked down at it and frowned. "Why would he send a letter?" He asked though didn't expect a response. Instead he opened the letter with shakey hands. Stood there for a while looking at the letter in disbelief, he read it three times before everything completely sunk in. Blank loved him, he left with Amy to keep her safe, left him behind to keep him safe. The gut feeling doubled over then and tears brimmed in his eyes he looked up with a face twisted in too many emotions for him to deal with. Turning away from Harley towards the wall he threw his fist with all his wait through the wall.
"Dontaine..." Harlequin instinctively reached out for him, but uncertainty had her fingers curling and her pulling her arm back, her hands in fists at her side. It was so hard to see the demon like this; he was usually so cheerful. So happy and mischevious. So much like her. She didn't know what to do to make him feel better. But hell, she barely liked the angel most days and she was worried about him, even though he never once mentioned in his letter that he was even remotely worried about the outcome. She took a deep breath. "I'm sure he'll be back soon," she said softly, lamely.
"He should have asked me to go..." Dontaine said in a mere whisper pulling his fist from the whole in the wall. He then moved to a closet and pulled out a broom and dust pan and started cleaning the mess he made, ignoring the bleeding and pain in his hand.
The witch watched for a moment before catching his wounded hand in hers. If she concentrated really hard, she could heal the worst of it...at least, the bleeding on the outside. The hurt at being left behind she wouldn't be able to touch, not with magic or with words. "You know how he is," she said on a sigh, brushing her fingers over the worst spots on his battered knuckles, willing the cooling magic to help where it would. "I know he wanted you to go, but he always has to look out for everybody." He only did it 'cause he loves you. And you're only this upset because you love him, too.
Dontaine looked down at his hand when she healed it and rubbed the back of his neck, "heh thanks." He said shifting from foot to foot again. He hadn't been getting sleep before he sure as hell wasn't going to now. "Any idea when they'll be back..." If they'll be back? Was what he really wanted to say but he didn't have the nerve to say it.
She didn't sigh, but only just barely. How did she tell him that she didn't know? And she knew what he wanted to ask her--it was the obvious question when a...loved one...went into the great unknown. And Dontaine had ony the smallest idea of what kind of trouble Will, Amy and Blank might be getting themselves into. "I'd like to say a week, or a month, but I don't know." She dropped his hand looking away. "I'm sure he'll come back safely, though. He's pretty tough. You know, for an angel."
"All the more reason to have had a demon along..." Dontaine said shaking his head. "Thanks for delivering the letter Harley. I'll see you guys soon ok. Right now I just need to be alone..." he said as he stepped outside. He planned on heading down to the lagoon so he could think, luckily it wasn't raining though he wouldn't have cared if it was right about now.
"No problem...Dontaine..." Her words dragged off as she watched him walk away. When did crushing on someone start to hurt? Was that when you knew you cared about someone? Knowing she couldn't do anything else for him, she waited long enough so that she wouldn't infringe on his solitude before slowly making her way back to the cottage. Her home, so empty now. Shoulders hunched, she grabbed her elbows, huddling in against the cold. I hope Blank comes back ok...Looking up at the sky, she knew Dontaine would be inconsolable if he didn't. She supposed she'd have to do what he did--hope that Blank and Will knew what they were doing, and Amy got them out of there asap.
Dontaine blindly found his way to the lagoon and then headed back into the caves where he set himself in the hot springs and leaned his head back and closed his eyes. Just letting himself think and try to relax some. He'll be ok. He'll come home... He repeated to himself over and over again trying his best to believe it was true.
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Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 3:26 pm
Somewhere on the other side of the rainbow, a door appeared. Nearly fifty taurs of every shape, size and color stopped to stare at the frame they didn't recognize, at a door that hadn't been there just moments before. It didn't look like a door an evil wizard would use; it was a rather small, whitewashed door with a white frame and a glass window in the front. Though they could only see the other side of the room through the glass window, when the door opened, that was not what was on the inside.
The first creature that walked through the door was a two-leg, causing everyone in the room to jump in alarm. The king was rushed back by his guards, and those that were left surrounded the front of the door in a halfmoon shape, weapons drawn. The dark-haired two leg said nothing, but neither did he make any agressive moves. He did, however, study the crowd that looked on, awestruck.
Next came another two-leg, but this one was different. She was much shorter, with a mop of curly green hair, her green tufted ears peeking out from underneath it, the gold horn in the middle of her forehead framed by the curls. She gasped when she saw the weapons, clutching the strange bag she'd brought with her, though she, too, seemed to be earnestly searching for someone.
"I don't think we're in Kansas anymore, Toto," the last one said. Unlike the other two-legs, he seemed more like the wolf-taurs by feature, though wings adorned his back. He brought no bag with him, but he was armed. The alarm raised as he shut the door behind him.
"That's not nice," the female reprimanded.
"Its not...possible..." Surprised, the two clydesdale guards turned to their king. Rydstrom stood a head taller than his brother, and though he was slightly slimmer through the shoulders, he still had the look of a warhorse--just a wellbred one. His hair and pelt were gold, woven with the same markings that Cade had. The girl seemed to gasp.
"Are you...King Rydestrom?" she asked from her position slightly behind the first male.
"Silence!" one of the soldiers bellowed. "Explain yourself...and it had better be a good one."
"You are Amy, are you not?"
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Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 3:29 pm
Amy had to fight the urge to cling to the back of Wills jacket as they stood in the middle of an angry half circle of centaurs. Most resembled Cadeon as far as, ah, breed? with a stocky horse body and natural hues, though one or two were speckled ponies, or palominos. They all wore stony expressions, and a sword or a spear--pointed right at them. Blank had a white-knuckled grip on the hilt of his sword, but dared not move it. Amy was just as surprised as they were when the fair-haired king of the 'taurs spoke.
"I am Amaryllis," she said, pushing her shoulders back and doing the best impression of her mother as she could muster. With her practical garb of jeans, her favorite white and green plaid shirt and sneakers, it was difficult. But then, it didn't seem like that was the usual type of clothes worn around here, so hey, maybe it would help? When she locked eyes with the king, his brown gaze so similar to his brothers, it seemed as if a soft breeze swept through the 'room,' causing a murmur to rustle through the crowd. It smelled faintly of flowers.
Unlike the houses she was used to, the ceilings were high and furnishings were sparse; the room that they had entered was easily the size of the first floor of her home, and the only furnishing of any sort was a set of tall, tall tables pushed against the far walls, undyed table runners spanning the length of them. Underneath the tables and along to the far wall, up two steps where the king and his guards stood, the floors were tiled with smooth stones that ranged in color from blue-gray to a murky brown, through the middle growing what appeared to be very sturdy greenery that smelled vaguely spicy when she moved. So this was a centaur castle?
"And your consort?" He hadn't asked her last name; maybe ethereal kirin had no last name? She wouldn't question it.
"William Lykae and Blank Espoir." She had no idea if Blank even had a last name, but it sounded good enough, and he didn't speak up to say anything different. The author inside was telling her that setting herself out among the three of them would make her seem important. In charge. Someone people should answer questions for. She hoped so.
"Who among you is 'toto'?" She heard Blank cough quietly and Will snicker--she gave the wolf a quick kick to the ancle to remind him where they were, and now was not the moment to be horsing around.
"I'm sorry for the confusion; that's just a phrase that basically means we're a long way from where we were." With a sharp word from the king, the soldiers that surrounded them took a step back, lowering their weapons--if only a fraction. Though it probably ruined her cool, composed image, Amy took a deep breath, feeling like she could breath now without finding her way into the business end of one of those weapons. There was a long stretch of silence, and she could tell that the dark brown warhorse...taur...gentleman still wanted an explanation as to why they were there, but it seemed as if the king already had an idea. Had Cade talked about her? Where was he now?
"As for an explanation," she pressed on, "I've come in search of Cadeon Woede. He was most valiant in his pursuit of a means back here, but when he found it, it seemed as if something was very wrong." Her heart clenched in the memory, but she kept her gaze level with the kings. That was, until he looked away. Immediately, concern grew.
"Tell me he's not..." she breathed, the hand that wasn't clutching her bag fluttering up to her throat.
"He lives," Rydstrom said gruffly, waving aside the guards that still hovered over him. He looked around the room, studying the faces of his subjects and his advisers, the kirin in front of him desperately wondering what he was thinking. What his stony gaze was hiding. Forcing herself to relax her pose again, she rested her hands on the top of her over-the-shoulder bag, the last thing showing her concern was her fiddling with the zipper.
"I'll speak with you." One of the smaller taurs, a deer, whispered urgently to the king. Perhaps one of his advisers? Rydstrom shook his head. Cade must have talked to him. He recognizes me. Why won't he tell me what's going on? "Rok, please escort her." When the dark brown warhorse, Rok, reached for her, Will and Blank moved simultaneously, Will standing directly in front and Blank behind, keeping guard. She thought she heard Will snarl, but she couldn't be sure. She fought the urge to kick him again, because they were right back in the center of all the weapons.
"I would like to take Will and Blank," she said, her clear tone shaking just a bit.
"You'll come alone," Rydstrom responded. "These are uncertain times." After a short moment of thought, she gently touched Will's shoulder, then Blank's.
"Don't do this," Will murmured, green eyes narrowed. Even Blank didn't looked thrilled.
"I have to know," she said softly. "Its what I came for. Please?" It also wasn't as if they had much of a choice, but Will and Blank letting her go on their own would probably pave the way for better relations in the future. After a few tense seconds passed, he at least moved out of her way, even if he didn't relax. She idly noted that he'd reached for his bag, but she didn't have the mental capacity to worry about anything else at the moment so she didn't bother. Her last glance of them before Rok carefully--but firmly--took her by the elbow and led her away was he and Blank exchanging glances, him gripping the bag and Blank his sword. She hoped they would be alright.
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Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 3:31 pm
"Will Blank and Will be alright?" I asked, trying not to sound as nervous as I felt. Rok, still holding my elbow as if he was being gentlemanly and escorting me not making sure I wouldn't do something stupid, shrugged, telling me it was up to them. I assumed that meant as long as they didn't do anything stupid, either, they should be fine. I'm not usually a praying kind of girl, but I prayed for their safety. To who is anyone's guess. I remained silent and attempted to be aloof as we followed the prince through a walkway as wide as a room, and I noticed for the first time that what I thought were windows where the ceiling connected to the walls were really open spaces, allowing for the air to flow freely. These were truly creatures of nature--not even their buildings truly blocked it out.
At the end of the walkway was a hip-high door (almost to my shoulder) that the prince pushed through, Rok catching one side so that it wouldn't smack me on the way in. This prince didn't hold doors for ladies, I guessed, or at least I didn't qualify. Unlike the other room, the grass was on the outside and a small patch of stonework in the middle, with a large, unadorned wooden table sat in the middle. It was a little high for me, and there were no chairs, so I simply stood on the opposite side of the prince, Rok in the middle, though slightly closer to the prince than to me. He was on my poop list; he took my bag.
"How much did Cadeon tell you of the situation?" the king finally asked, breaking the silence. I wasn't sure if Cade was supposed to have told me what was going on or not, but I was a terrible liar, so I stuck to the truth.
"He told me about the former king being killed, his refusal to take over the throne while you were at war and the subsequent insurrection. It was his vow to regain your crown that kept him looking for the doorway back. That's all I know." Rok frowned, but Rydstrom nodded.
"King Hilbrand took advantage of our weakness, pushing us out of the kingdom for a time. But his wizard made a deal with us, and if we agreed, he would withdraw himself and his forces from our borders." I felt like I couldn't breathe, but I made myself keep calm and steady as I eyed the two 'taurs. "He wanted Cadeon. I agreed."
"What?!" I couldn't help but shriek, slapping my hands on the table with more force than I probably should've, if the dark 'taurs glance was any indication. "You sold him up the river?"
"It was his duty," Rydstrom snapped back. "If he'd taken over while I was gone, I wouldn't have had to make the choice at all."
"Do you even know what this wizard is going to do with him?" The kings glare showed that he did not, and I was horrified. More than that, I hated that I understood his logic. But...Cade. Oh, Cade, what am I going to do?
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Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2008 11:39 am
Rok and Rydstrom stared at me like I just didn't understand how these things worked, and I guess they were right. When talking about a kingdom, Cade was still just one person. But...all he'd done was try to get back here, all he wanted to do was return Rydstrom to the throne. And he had. And I had no idea what it would cost him.
"You've come too late, kirin," the king murmured, looking away. So he at least regretted the trade that had been made, but as much as I apprecated that fact, it didn't change anything. Too late? It hadn't been two weeks yet. Two weeks ago, he was with me, and he was okay... I swallowed hard, trying to push the tears back. I couldn't cry, I couldn't.
"So you know that much," I said, trying to sound calm. The king nodded.
"When he arrived back, he explained where he had been."
"You say that like he didn't spend every waking moment looking to get back here," I said hotly. The king and his guard seemed to think very poorly of Cade. Again, I understood their situation, and the mistakes that Cadeon had made in the past. I tried to keep that in mind, and that I couldn't do much anyway.
"I need...to speak with my escorts. You have your guard here, King Rydstrom--in these 'undertain times,' isn't it fair that I have mine, as well?" He didn't like that, but he nodded to Rok, who in turn must've left to get Blank and Will, leaving her and Rydstrom alone.
"I know what you think," the centaur told me, once we were alone in the room. His voice said that, while he knew, he didn't care one bit. "But Cadeon volunteered. He knows what he has done, even if you do not." This is war, Amy--what did you expect? Roses and sunshine? I knew that I lived life with rosy colored glasses, but I hadn't expected to come here and find everything so forcefully in black and white...and red.
"This wizard, he's gotten the king to withdraw?" I asked, trying to make sense of what was going on.
"Yes."
"How?"
"I assume he killed the king and staged a coup, taking over the kingdom." I swallowed my gasp at the situation and at his matter-of-fact portrayal of it. This is war, I reminded myself. I wasn't likely to forget.
"And his use for your brother?" Of course, he didn't know. I was pretty certain that it wasn't that he didn't care--either about Cade's fate or about his brother in general. Why in the world would a powerful wizard want a single centaur? One who was a prince, but not the king? A prince who was clearly not good for a bargaining piece? I did not envy either of their positions, but then, I didn't really envy mine, either.
It was about then that Blank and Will were brought into the small room, along with one more guard of Rydstroms...I supposed to make it fair. They hadn't been escorted with a hand at their elbow, but both of the guards had a misleadingly loose grip on the weapons at their side. If either one of my 'escorts' made a wrong move...I swallowed hard, leveling a gaze at them.
"Might I have a moment to speak with them?" Rydstrom nodded. He spoke with the guards, one of which would stand outside of the door. So we wouldn't go anywhere? Do anything? What were we going to do? We were a kirin, a wolf and a chandra, stuck in a dimension where everyone or at least nearly everyone present was three times their weight, strength and size. Oh, yeah. They were a threat to national security.
"Well?" Will asked, clearly still miffed at me for going off on my own. I couldn't blame them--being left in the mist of people that didn't like them wasn't very reassuring.
"Cade's not here."
"I gathered that much." I swallowed hard, glancing at the door. How much could the guard hear?
"He's been traded to the wizard who sent him to the islands in exchange for the safety of the kingdom. I don't know where he is, or if he's a live at all." Will swore ripely and Blank settled against the wall, looking down at his feet. I'm sure was wondering why he'd left the islands--and Dontaine--to help me on this crazy adventure when I didn't even know if the person I was trying to find was alive at all.
"They're this excited to have us here, on his side of the battle lines," Blank said, still not looking up. I think his eyes were closed, deep in thought, but I couldn't tell. His brows were furrowed. "How are we going to get to the other side?"
"Is there still fighting going on?"
"Only in that kingdom, I think," I told them, not sounding assured enough for his tastes. "R..King Rydstrom thinks that, in order to hold up his end of the bargain, the wizard killed the king and took over the kingdom in his stead." Blank let out a low whistle--I knew he was thinking we'd really done it this time. I'd really done it this time.
"Just great," Will muttered. I could tell that he wished there was even one chair around there somewhere that he could either kick or flop down into. "You've still got your heart set on rescuing the horse?" I chewed my lip, then nodded. He swore again.
"Then we've got to get into that kingdom."
"I don't think we'll be going anywhere tonight," Blank pointed out.
"Maybe they'd let us stay here for the evening," I suggested. "I don't think I could make it there, anyway." I hadn't thought about what kind of toll it would take on me to open the door twice, taking two people through the second time. Fatigue tugged at my resolve; I wouldn't be any good to Cade even if I could find him.
"You should ask your new friends if they have another means of transportation for those of us with only two legs."
"You only have to legs for the moment," I pointed out. He was awefully fast in wolf form, and Blank could fly. Maybe between them...I sighed. I was such a burden. Will grimaced when he saw my crestfallen expression, and he planted his hands firmly on the table--as if, if he didn't, he'd do...something. Take me into his arms?
"I'll ask," I said sullenly, turning to the door. If I peeked around, I could see the dark skinned taur standing guard, pretending he couldn't hear anything we said.
"Mr. Rok?" His head moved barely, indicating that he'd heard me. "My escorts and I will be out of your hair just as soon as possible, but do you think we could stay just one night?"
"King Rydstrom said that you might be tired from the trip," he said, his voice sounding like someone that regularly gargled gravel and razor blades. "He has...extended his hospitality to you for as long as you need it. Given that you don't cause trouble."
"Of course," I hurried to say, telling myself that not causing trouble could mean any number of things, so I wasn't really lying. I relayed the message to Will and Blank. Outside the room, Will and I got our bags back from Rok and were escorted into a slightly smaller hallway (though it still felt as if it might swallow me whole), through a mostly open breezeway, and into what I assumed was the living quarters. It seemed as if, even in the circumstances, Rydstrom was going to treat us as guests. Oh, goodie.
"These are the two-leg quarters that we have," Rok said, by way of explination. I couldn't help but wonder what centaur quarters would look like--did they lay down when they slept, or did they stand, like horses? I hadn't really seen Cade sleep, almost always retiring early myself. But I supposed it wouldn't make a difference, either way.
Again, the room was large, and it had a large straw mattress on what looked like a wooden box pushed into the back corner, with a couple of pillows thrown across the top, rough blankets tucked in around it, another folded at the foot. I hoped Will would refrain from making any saddle blanket jokes.
"Let me know if I can get you anything else. I'm...at your service." And thrilled about it, I could tell. But I gave him a smile I thought was suitable and a quick incline of my head (since a curtsey would look stupid in my jeans and someone with four legs wouldn't recognize it anyway).
"Thank you, sir," I said softly. "I think we'll do well for the evening." I could've, maybe shoul'dve, complained about the single bed, but the thing was at least eight feet square; there would be room for everyone. Will and Blank must've thought the same thing, or at least not wanted to argue with the nearly eight foot tall centaur warrior. Returning my nod and touching his hand to his forehead, Rok departed, the door swinging shut behind him. Taurs obviously didn't put much stock in privacy. I sighed at the door, starting to sink to my knees without noticing it.
Before I could hit the ground, though, Will was there, catching me under the arms and drawing me against him.
"Babe, you've got to get some sleep," he said, worried. He obviously hadn't thought about how taxing it would be, either. Asking two questions and knocking on a door, right? But I knew there was a little more too it than that. While he was making sure I didn't bust my knees or my face on the stone floors, Blank settleld his sword on the floor and spread the rough blankets over the mattress. Thankfully, there was one for each of us, though I didn't imagine Blank would need one.
Once again, I was taken by the elbow, but this time Will settled me on the bed. He and Blank took the outsides, Blanks sword within easy reach. Entirely dressed, I collapsed onto the uncomfortable mattress. I barely noticed when Will sighed and pulled a blanket over me, and couldn't hear what they said when he and the chandra spoke softly. I almost didn't care. Before they were done with their conversations and I'd managed to take my shoes off, I was fast asleep.
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Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2008 1:49 pm
"Are you the vessle?" There was a sickening thud and a pained groan. The world seemed to tilt on its axis for a moment before lightening, if only a little. Eyes opened of their own volition, showing a man dressed in blue.
Blue? I thought to myself. Aren't horrible, evil wizards supposed to wear black? Or red? Maybe even purple? How I knew he was The Wizard, I wasn't sure.
"No," came a rhaspy voice. It sounded as if it came from a throat that had nearly swelled closed, and as if even that one, two letter word pained him. The man in blue didn't say anything, didn't even bat an eye, but it was clear that was not the answer he was looking for. There was another thud, and this time, there wasn't a groan, but the rattle of exhaled breath and a choking sound.
Somewhat distant from the scene, I couldn't figure out what was going on. I could only see the man in blue, and see how it set off his strange, sky blue eyes in a soft face offset by a scar running the length of his jawline. What was he doing? What, or who, was supposed to be the vessle?
"You're making this difficult on yourself," the blue-eyed man said, as if this were all a great hassle. "You are the vessle. Say it."
"I am not the vessle," the speaker ground out. Shuffling noises could be heard as the speaker tried to stand, or push himself upright while the wizard watched, impartial to their pain, and their determination.
"Cadeon Woede," the blue-eyed man said quietly, "you are the vessle." With sudden clarity, the rest of the scene became visible--it was a small, dark room with no windows and only one door, the man in blue by the door and Cade on the floor on the other end. His feet were hobbled so that he could move, but not far and not quickly, not that he was in any contidion to go anywhere. Even with one eye swelled nearly closed, he glared at the wizard, completing the task of heaving himself upright.
"You'll not use me," he growled, good eye narrowed. "Not to--" But he sucked in a breat. His mouth moved as if to continue speaking, but no words came out. The blue-eyed wizard seemed to lock eyes with...
Me.
My eyes snapped open and I found Will there, shaking my shoulders, calling my name over and over again.
"Dammit, Amy wake up!"
"The vessle," I gasped. I realized belatedly that my face was damp--with sweat or tears I didn't know, but my hair was sticking in it. With a jerky motion, I wiped the green strands out of my eyes, hoping the sleep would go with it, taking its horrible visions with it. This time, he didn't stop himself from dragging me up against him. Before I could blink, I was practically in his lap, his arms around me like a band of iron. Back in a corner of my mind, I couldn't help but think, At least he's got pants on this time.
"It was just a dream," he whispered into my hair. "It's ok." I was shaking, and he must've noticed, too. Cade, what is he doing to you? Why? None of this makes any sense...
"I saw him," I said hoarsely, my throat raw as if I'd been yelling. "I saw Cade. I don't know where he is, but we've got to hurry. We've just got to." The tears I'd been fighting with began in earnest, the were rubbing my back and letting me cry on his shoulder, even though it was for someone else. I felt another soft touch on my shoulder, and I figured that it must be Blank, woken by the commotion. Was I always so much trouble?
Even thinking that, I couldn't stop. The dam had broken, and all of the frustration from the past couple of weeks came crashing down on me. Cade's disappearance, my new pack and my confused feelings towards Will and the guilt that tagged along with them, finding Cade and loosing him again... I was at my witts end. Obviously. When the tidal wave of emotion finally subsided, I heard him whispering in my ear. Promising to do anything, if I'd just stop crying. I sniffled, trying to do just that. Realizing that I had a big handful of his shirt, I forced my fingers to relax a little, and I took a ragged breath.
"I saw him," I said again, a little clearer. "The wizard has him, and is trying to do...something. I don't know what."
"Something to do with a vessle?" Blank asked softly. Amy nodded.
"He was trying to get Cade to say that he was the vessle, and Cade wouldn't. I don't know what it means, but I know that the wizard is going to...hurt Cade...until he makes him say it. I don't know..." I cut my rambling short, getting a firm grip on my senses. I was done freaking out. Done, done, done. Now it was time to act.
"We have to try to find out what he's doing," Blank said. "It might help if we knew." I nodded. Feeling Will shift, I looked up and saw him looking out the 'windows' along the top of the walls where light was trickling in.
"I guess its about time to get started," he said. Slowly, he let me go, and just as slowly, I moved. Thankfully, Blank was there, so there was no way it could've turned into anything more. I'd heard things about weepy girls needing comfort, and it was very similar to what I'd heard about alcohol. I sighed. I wouldn't have been able to get any more sleep, anyway. I couldn't shake the image of Cade, trying to push himself off the ground, his defiance against the wizard. I had to know what it meant.
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Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2008 5:56 pm
We weren't exactly ignored as we milled about the 'castle,' which consisted mainly of many hallways and rooms like the ones we'd already been in, but we weren't exactly welcome, either. We dined awkwardly in a small room off the kitchen on the too tall tables with no chairs and I doggedly tried to find Rydstrom while Will and Blank talked strategy and made plans. I found him in the courtroom, and though the guards glared at me, he didn't argue my coming to speak with him. I tried to choose my words carefully, but unless I'm writing, that's not my strongpoint.
I had a dream that your brother was being tortured by someone who was trying to get him to admit that he was a vessle. What is a vessle, and does your wizard have eerie, ice blue eys? Perfect. I wondered if they had padded rooms wherever we were.
"King Rydstrom," I asked quietly, not feeling at all important as being a kirin apparently made me around here. "If I could have a moment of your time?" He gave me a quick nod, seeming to wrap up the comversation he was having with the deer-taur, the one that had acted as his advisor the day before. That was what I thought, anyway. When he was done, he walked down from his pedestal (no throne, though I couldn't see how you could make a chair for a centaur work properly), waving off his guards.
"What can I do for you?" He seemed to have composed himself better than the day before; at least, not quite so apt to bite my head off, which I appreciated.
"This might be a weird question, but what is a vessle?" He gave me a look that clearly asked me if I was stupid or something, so I revised my own question. "I mean, if a person were to be a vessle, perhaps for the use of a wizard?" I asked my question softly, but I was quickly ushered back into the meeting room with his firm hand on my elbow this time.
"Where did you hear of this?" he asked me sternly, behind closed doors. I sighed.
"I'm going to be honest, because thats the only way I know how to be," I said, a little more sullenly than I probably should have. "But I believe your brother is being...tortured..." my throat closed around the word, as if I could barely say it, much less think about it, "...so that he will admit that he is the vessle. What is a vessle, and why would a wizard want him to be one?" Rydstrom studied me a moment before turning, pacing back and forth in the short room. Once more, he glanced at me over his shoulder.
"What makes you think that's what the wizard is doing?" he asked suddenly.
"I had...a vision," I said, quickly changing it from a 'dream' because telling him I had a vision sounded so much cooler. I mean, it carried more weight than saying I had a dream. His face clouded.
"A vision?" He was obviously skeptical. "To answer your question...a vessle is to be sacrificed, used as a catalyst in some sort of dark spell. Only the most powerful spells require a vessle specifically, however, because a vessle requires a sentient being of sound mind to give themselves over to be sacrificed."
"Oh," I managed weakly.
"I'll warn you now," he said with a frown, "if you make plans to rescue him, as I'm fairly certain you've come to do, I'm going to contain you in your quarters until you find a way back the way you've come." Though I hated it, it was about the response I expected. Rydstrom had traded his kingdom for his brother...but what I didn't understand why that made sense, on the wizards part. Why was one centaur worth that of a kingdom full?
"You told me that Cadeon volunteered to go," I said, looking down at my feet with a sigh. "And even with the short amount of time that he spent...on the islands," with me, "I could tell that he would do anything to make up for his mistake. I wouldn't do something that would go against his wishes. I just...I just wanted to know what had happened. I needed to know." My shoulders slumped a little, partly with the fact that most of what I'd said was true, and partly with my first successful lie. I felt like a terrible person, but what else could I do? I felt Rydstroms strong hand on my shoulder this time, maybe actually comforting me.
"This was what Cadeon wanted," he said, a little gruffly. Glancing up, I saw for the first time how hard it was for him to have made that decision. But now that he knew...of course he still couldn't change his mind, he was the king.
Well, she was no king. She wouldn't want to endanger anyone, and certainly didn't want to restart the war, but surely between her and the guys they could figure out something. Anything. Not wanting him to suspect anything, she looked back down at her feet. At her side, the taur seemed to be deep in thought as well.
"He spoke highly of you," he said after a moment, relinquishing my shoulder to drop his hands by his side. "He wouldn't want you to be in the middle of this." And then he left, as if saying something like that would help. Oh, sure, I was glad Cade wouldn't want me to be in the middle of a freaking warzone, but I didn't want him to be held captive by an evil wizard who wanted to sacrifice him to cast a spell.
And I hadn't gotten a chance to ask Rydstrom what kind of spell that would be. The 'most powerful,' he'd said. I supposed I'd have to figure it out by asking someone else, or he'd suspect. There was one thing, though--as an author, I was used to doing research. Maybe they had a library around here somewhere...
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Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2008 9:36 pm
With that information, they have to hunt her down, finding her in what passes as a library around these parts, up to her pointy ears in books and scrolls, a quill and bottle of ink at her side as she made notes. Though they surprised her, she quietly conferred with them about what a vessel was--and why they needed to try to find Cade as soon as possible.
They, in turn, explained the problem with that, but they could tell by the determined set of her jaw that there was no turning her back at this point. They confer about how to work this around Rydstrom, knowing that he wouldn't want them rescuing Cade at the expense of the kingdom--and working around the fact that Cade wouldn't want that either. Amy's response is, of course, they've got to figure out what the wizard wants with Cade and how to get it for him instead. She has a list of spells and conjecture--things she thinks the wizard is out to get, and its not going to be easy. Of course.>
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Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 3:17 pm
Rydstrom was smarter than Amy had given him credit for, or she was not as good at hiding her intentions as she'd hoped. For the next few days, every time she would talk about getting a little extra food, getting their bags and possibly leaving, there was an excuse. Whether it was from Rok or one of the other taurs, they were always apologetic, but something was going on where they couldn't spare the food, couldn't open the gates of the castle. Amy, Blank and Will were effectively prisoners at the Woede castle.
And every night, when she would fall into the stiff straw mattress next to Will and Blank, she would dream. She would dream of Cade being...questioned...until the blue-eyed wizard grew bored of his games. That icy gaze never flickered, no matter how the taur screamed and cried out.
Every night, she'd wake with a cry caught in her own throat, only to find Will's arms around her, whispering comforting words in her ear. Unable to get back to sleep, she'd get up and walk the strange, half grass, half cobbled hallways of the centaur palace.
But the fifth morning, when her eyes snapped open, finding Will there once again, she grabbed the lapes of his shirt and shook him as much as her tiny arms could.
"He's coming!" she said breathlessly. "He's coming for Rydstrom."
"Who's coming, babe?"
"The wizard. He's coming now." Without waiting to see if he thought she was crazy or not, Amy jumped out of the large bed, still in her pajamas and ran out of the room as if the hounds of hell were on her heels. In this case, it was just Will, but that was close enough. Ignoring the strange looks she got from the others, Amy searched the hallways desperately for Rydstrom or Rok. Someone she could tell. Someone she could warn.
"Hold on a sec," Will puffed, grabbing her arm to slow her down a little. He remembered, vaguely, how she ran with him under the light of the moon, but he didn't think she was practically a marathon runner! "Why is the...why is he on his way here?" The last thing he wanted was a repeat performance of the first day they'd been there, Amy off on her own while he and Blank stayed behind, gazing down the points of several handmade weapons.
"He can't get Cade to admit that he's the vessle," she said, as if it were obvious. "He's tried every night since they made the exchange and Cade refused to give in. But now he wants something to make him say it, and he's going to try to take Rydstrom." In the back of her mind, a memory stirred--Cade might not have said that he was the vessle, but he'd told the wizard everything else he'd wanted to know. But night after sleepless night, day after painful day...she would've given in to whatever had been asked of her by then.
"I have to warn Rydstrom."
"Amy, this is the perfect opportunity for us to get out of here," Will pointed out in hushed tones. "With King Rydstrom distracted by the wizards soldiers and the wizard's own castle without its ruler, its the perfect time." If they started travelling then, he might be able to...
"I can't." Looking down at her feet for a moment, she gave a shuddering sigh. "I can't do that. What would Cade say?"
"Thank you?"
Though she wouldn't have been able to break out of his grip had he not wanted her to, Will released her as she tugged her arm free. Glaring at him, she whipped around, continuing to stride purposefully through the hallways. Trotting to catch up to her, Will hissed in her ear.
"Don't you realize that if we stay for this, we'll be in the middle of a war zone?" She hadn't, but that wasn't stopping her. "Amaryllis, damn it, listen to me for a minute, won't you? People are going to die out there today." His green eyes were narrowed in anger and frustration, but Amy knew its source. He wasn't worried about himself, or Blank. He was worried about her. Poor, pitiful little Amy.
"Then you and Blank should stay inside," she told him, though she knew he wouldn't. Will wasn't the only one who could worry. She knew she'd gotten caught up in the adventure, worry for Cade at the forefront in her mind, but she couldn't forget the..friends...that had brought her here. "I might be a little naive sometimes, but I know what war is. I knew what I might be getting myself into when I came here. I don't want--"
"I knew what you were dragging yourself into, too," Will sighed. Something a noble knight would say? Probably not, but neither Will nor Amy were under any false assumptions about his chivalry. "That's why I came. That's why Blank came. We knew the risks. If you're staying, I am to. I'm sure he'll agree."
"Of course I do." Both Amy and Will jumped at Blank's sudden agreement. Looking around solemnly as if he'd been there the whole time, he shrugged. "But Will, you should know better to think that she'd see this as an opportunity. Let's try to find the king and see if we can't convince him that you haven't finally gone batty."
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