20THE SHATTERED MIRROR
. o .
PART ONE: Laena
"Why, exactly am I supposed to faint? I don't want to. Besides, I just woke up; isn't that mildly redundant for me to return to unconsciousness?"
"You are supposed to faint, as all good damsels in distress do. And then you are going to die, unless you start listening."
The girl smirked, her green eyes narrowing in calculation. "Too bad I have no intention of doing either."
With that, she twisted one arm free from where it was clamped down onto the floor beside her, and brought the heel of her palm up into the nose of the hooded youth crouching over her. He twisted away as his head jerked backwards, his string of curses muffled by the hand that had shot to his face.
Jumping upwards into a stand, Laena's eyes flashed around the isolated hallway for anything she might use as a weapon. The painful lump she could feel at the back of her head was enough to tell her that he had caught her by surprise, but the fact that she had already awoken, was not dead yet, and still sensed... well... technical innocence was enough for the Healer to note that her attacker wasn't the best, or for that case, the 'worst' in the business.
Or maybe he had just wanted to scare her.
Either way, she thought, this stranger would probably be better off either far away from her, or dead. And seeing as she didn't quite have the tools or ability to Transport him...
"I wouldn't continue with that thought if I were you, Healer."
Laena's eyes shifted to where the youth had risen to stand about arm's reach from her. He had thrown back the hood of his cloak, and even in the dim-lit hallway, she could sense his arrogance, tempered by a curious dash of insecurity as he shifted from foot to foot. Even more strangely, any trace of blood from her strike had disappeared from his face, which meant that he was either a Healer himself, or a mage of no small talent otherwise.
Still, he had surprised and attacked her, and Laena knew that Lord Stephanus himself would ensure that this intruder faced severe punishment for such audacity. As an apprentice Healer, and friend of the Lord's son, Halvard, Laena had become a small if valuable fixture in the fortress' daily life, and she knew that both her friend and his father would do what they could to ensure her safety. Taking a careful step away from the tall youth blocking her other escape route, she replied with newfound confidence. "Why not?"
Taking a step towards the girl with a coldly assured smile, the youth answered. "Milady, we both know precisely why that is a foolish idea."
"I'm not dead yet, milord. I assure you, I would have been if I always went with the instincts that 'knew better.'" Laena could feel her hands balling into fists at her side. As she drew her right fist down and under her short cloak, her hand brushed against a previously forgotten object hanging from the girdle around her hips. Recognizing it as the dirk Halvard had insisted she carry after he had laughed about her fledgling grasp on her Healing skills and the earth-based magics that her abilities enabled, Laena let out a breath she didn't know she was holding.
"Surely, milady, you do not intend to attack me yet again, and with that pitiful half-sword? It would be most unfortunate if you were to do so." The stranger's blue eyes were intent as he drew his broadsword effortlessly. Raising the sword to a guard position in his left hand, he continued. "We can do this two ways, Laena, and you know this. 'Twould be a pity to lose one of your talent and loveliness, however. "
"Who are you, stranger?" Laena's eyes narrowed. "Who are you, to invade my inner thoughts and know my every move? I warn you: stand aside, let me pass, and begone before the Lord hears of this, for he will not take your actions lightly."
Sweeping a mocking bow, the youth smiled coldly. "Truth, Lady? My name is of no concern to you, but you may call me Dunstan. As for your thoughts, milady? I hear your thoughts because it is my Gift. I read the emotions and thoughts of others as easily as they read books. Easier, perhaps." Dunstan trailed off as he saw the girl run an exasperated hand through her hair. "Dare I ask?"
"No. But as you already have - Dunstan, or whoever you are - why do you wish to haunt my thoughts? I presume there is a purpose for it; if you are pursuing my heart, rendering me unconscious was a step in the wrong direction."
Dunstan sheathed his broadsword and walked towards Laena, who had slipped into a defensive stance herself. Keeping his distance from the glaring green-eyed Healer, he replied. "No, milady; nothing of the sort. I simply require you, Goddess knows why..."
Laena placed her hand back on the pommel of her dirk. "That is not a fair enough reason. If you can, stranger, give me a better one and I shall consider not alerting the guard."
"I am merely the messenger of greater beings, milady, and you are the one I am supposed to guard. Your friends are dead; they cannot protect you, although I give you my word as a swordsman that they certainly tried to do so. If you wish to live, you will come with me; I doubt the rest of my party will give you a better offer. As for why... I cannot say much more, but the choice, as it appears to be quite often with you, is yours, after a fashion" Dunstan allowed a small smile to soften his jawline. "Well?"
Laena raised her eyes to the swordsman's. "You - you absolute bastard. You killed them to get to me? How could you?" Color rose to her cheeks as she realized Dunstan had followed her in another step in their odd dance. Looking around her, Laena realized the effects of their conversation had caused them to move further down the hallway, which had cut off most of her possible escape paths. She sighed, resigned. "You're not alone, then."
"No, milady, I am not. Again, I give you your choice. You stay with me; you will live. You leave me and I doubt you will see sunset."
"Confident, aren't you?" Shaking her head and murmuring a prayer for her lost friends, the brunette girl stepped towards the swordsman, and touched his outstretched hand with the tips of her fingers. "I shall stay with you then, Goddess help me."
As they touched, a strange thing happened, for where there had been two youths standing, there was now nothing.
The two reappeared seconds later outside the fortress. Ushering the girl to where two horses were tethered to a large oak tree, Dunstan turned and saluted the fortress with his sword. "My apologies, Lord, Master Halvan. You will reawake soon. I have need of your ward for this moment; but I swear to you that she will return." Chuckling at the raised eyebrow from the pretty Healer, Dunstan replied to her unasked question. "Signaling the troops, milady."
Something in Laena's face fell at that comment, but she steeled herself, and Dunstan could feel her spirit locking theweaker emotions away. He nodded in approval, knowing better than she that such wounds as those that he had dealt, even if illusions, were healed best by time. Schooling his face into a neutral expression as he caught Laena's second eyebrow join the first, Dunstan made a note to himself to watch his actions around this girl. She was already quite different than any other he had 'fetched' in his time as Quicksilver, and at least three times the trouble. It was fortunate that the pay was impossible to turn down; his nose still smarted from the girl's hit.
Laena looked at her companion, who appeared lost in his own thoughts. You could lose him, this 'Dunstan,' you know, she mused. But with Halvan and the Lord killed, he is the best option; I need him, for now. Lord, Halvan, I shall return; I promise your spirits this...
Taking another look back at the castle, Laena turned with new resolve and nudged her horse into a walk. Direction did not matter; she knew her new shadow would not let her wander. Yet when he did not immediately follow. "Well, milord?"
"Milady."
. to be continued .