[M] IC - La Belle et la Bête - Dark pigeon / Scottishgal

[Dark Pigeon]

Rated M for; Language, violence, sexy-time, imps, sexy-evil-man, murder, torture.


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He sat there on the cold black marble floor of the large castle that sat in these dying lands. Nothing had grown in the fields for decades now, and nothing would for the years to come. He was born and raised in these lands. But never had he seen it when they were green and warm, fields full of crops and fat cows grazing in the fields. He had heard story's about it, even see a rare painting or two that was kept hidden from the eyes of soldiers and other that were loyal to the king. Now all had died under its new ruler, his kingdom now nothing but a grey dying land. The older man had never felt grass under his feet, a thought that had hunted him when his first child was born. He knew that they would never smell the sent of fresh mowed grass, feel the heat of the sun in the summer, or feel their bellies full of food. The eyes of his king were glaring down at him, he could feel them burn right through him. His heart was pounding a mile a minute as he was sweating bullets out of horror. He did not dare to look around the large empty throne room, he did not dare to take his eyes from the ground as he sat there, bowing as deep as he possibly could.

It was nothing really, just a piece of coal that was all, why was this so much a big deal?. But what was one to expect? The man he worked for was seen as a true monster, a demon if you like the sound of that more. The world knew him to be nothing but. A fiend that needed to be destroyed by the bravest of knights and soldiers. Oh, how they have tried and failed. But the magic that this man wielded was unlike any other, the knowledge he had was enough to destroy the very world itself, so why had he not done so?. The older man looked absolutely defeated as he wondered this himself. The man sat on his knee's, bowing down as deep as he could while the king looked down at him with a slick smile spread across the lips. "Well peasant what might it be, your death. Or your most beautiful daughter to work here in your place. She best be a virgin still. I do not like to play with the toys of others. I....... might come back to this little deal I make with such a worthless creature quite like yourself." Salvador said as sat on his high throne that stood in the dark and cold throne room. His black hair draped over the shoulders of his silk green robe he was wearing. Everything about him reeked of power and wealth, wealth that he took from his subjects and spend all on his own. He was a scrawny looking creature, with pale skin and eyes that sat sunk deep within his face and small lips. He looked sickly, death even. But his bright green eyes betrayed that there was still life inside him still, and an evil that had blackened his very soul.

The poor man was shivering in fear. His whole body was in agony after the torture that his king had him endure. Magic, he would rather have good old fashion torture than the filthy magic that his ruler had conjured up against him. His body was in agony still, he could feel the pain in his bones. He knew that if he was to die, that his children could not take care of themselves. In this city in this horrid land people died of hunger or by the hand of the Kings army. Leaving was not an option, those who tried were hanged like for treason. All one could do here was trying to stay alive, and hope that death would come swiftly and without pain.

[Scottie]

The walls were darker than night, shadows could not even hide in their corners. Screams echoed in her ears, the pleas for mercy went unanswered. Two men walked behind her, heavy armour clinked with every one of their steps. A man….thing walked by her side. She had asked every day to enter the castle, every day since her father was brought here. Today was the first day they had responded to her. Inviting her inside. The thing beside her had sneered at her when she requested to speak to her father. It had dragged its beady dark eyes up and over her body, not amused by her appearance and her tone. It looked like it had once been a man…if there was a man who had never ventured outside. Its fingers were long as it prodded her arm, it’s teeth a horrific colour of yellow and she swore he smelled of death. “You are just who we were looking for.” His words trickled down her spine like an ice shower. Her forehead furrowed and she waited for the man to elaborate but he merely marched her onwards.

“Where is my father?" Melia asked with a tinge of anger to her voice. The man chuckled, his laugh alone made her feel dirty. “You will be with him shortly.” She had every mind to dig her heels in, refuse to go any further but she knew that if she stayed outside she would never get to her father. The screams and pleas continued until they reached a plush corridor. Melia could not help but to stop, she had never witnessed carpets or light like those before. Her sudden stop was not tolerated by the man and he glanced at a guard. A guard gripped her arm and started to tug her along the corridor. His fingers felt like they were burning through her skin and she glared at the man. “Let go of me.” Her words fell on deaf ears and the man continued to tug her along. She tried to request it again, but her words looked pitiful as she was nearly running to keep up at their pace. Door after door was opened and the man who she now knew to be called “Stellos” was someone vaguely in charge. His orders were completed by all, thrown to passerbys and the guards continued to do his bidding. They did not stop until they reached an elaborate door. It was finely carved from what looked like the nights sky and she could hear muffled words behind the door. She strained with all her might to hear them but failed. Stellos knocked the door twice before trying the lock.

As the door opened, Stellos entered the room dragging Melia in with them. Melia saw only a fire place before her knees hit the ground harshly. Her hood landed over her head and her hands hit the floor sending a faint slapping noise into the room. “Your majesty…I bring you the daughter of this thieving peasant.” Hearing her father be called those words brought a deep red to her cheeks. She let out a shaky breath trying to calm herself when her father spoke. His words cracking from his throat. “M…Melia….” Melia raised her head just enough to see her father. Her words caught in her throat, he looked horrible. Even from this far away…she could see that his body was close to giving up. “Papa!” She scraped her foot back to try and drag herself to her feet. She had just managed to stand when a hand wrapped itself in her cloak. It harshly brought her back to their armour chest and a hand pressed over her mouth. Stellos smirked as he sneered at her “Stay down girl…or we’ll go get your sister…Pretty young thing.” It was like raising a red flag to a bull. Her teeth sunk into his leather gloves and her foot made contact with the slimy man. Harshly kicking into his side until the man holding her threw her back to the ground. Stellos stumbled over and landed harshly on his bum which warranted a small faint chuckle from the hooded figure of Melia. One of the guards kept is foot in the square of her back as her father tried to drag himself closer to her. “M…Melia stay down…”

[Dark Pigeon]

Salvador was pleased to see that Stellos was right on queue to bring him the daughter of the man that sat broken before him, on the cold marbel floor. He was not so pleased though as Stellos was brought down so easily by a mere girl. Salvodor slowly rose to his feet and held out his hand, the large golden staff that had stood before the father of Melia flew towards him and rested within his hands as the king stepped down the stairs that would lead towards his throne. The trail of his dark green and golden robe gently trailed behind him, the fabric making a soft noise as it was dragged over the marble steps. "Do tell me my thieving fiend, what will it be? Your worthless life that I will gladly take, or your daughter?" He asked, the smile on his lips only growing as he looked up at the girl. "Who I would gladly take as well, I do wonder what is behind all that cloth that she is wearing. Is she a screamer? Do tell." Her father could not bring himself to say it, he did not even dare to defend his daughters honor. He did not dare to say that he had to leave his Melia here with the monster that they had to call king. If her father was to die, he knew that his daughters would very well die as well do to hunger or cold. People in these lands did not particularly help one and other. Not because they did not wanted to, they gladly shared their meals. But there was not enough to begin with. Only those who loved within the city walls knew the sight of green grass, of trees full of leaves and fruit. Only here the land gave, it was outside the city that everything had turned into nothing but sand and dust. Especially his lovely young daughter Sophia, without him she would not last a month.

He glanced behind him as his king came closer, Melia was kept down on the ground by Salvador's soldiers while Stellos crawled back on his feet. He knew that his king would bring nothing but pain and anger for he had failed. Pain and anger he surely was to show back to this girl when he got the change to, he would take his revenge.. of that he was sure. Salvador looked up at him as he listened to Melia's father that she had to stay down.
"Melia" Salvador's voice sounded cold but calm as he stepped down each step with such flair. "Pick her up, I want to see if I will be satisfied with what he is to give me. Otherwise I would settle for the crippled one" He looked up at Stellos that nodded, yes, the other daughter was crippled one.. he had informed his king perfectly. "Not that I particularly like the crippled.. oh well.. One can not have everything he wants now can he?" He said chuckling as he stopped several feet away from Melia's father. The guards dragged Melia up her feet and removed the cloak that she was wearing. As they had thrown it to the ground they pushed the girl forward harshly. She now stood right next to her father, who was still trying not to speak a single word.. as he did not want to.

[Scottie]

Melia heard a soft whizzing noise but could not raise her head. Anger registered on all her features, her hands curling into claws against the shiny floor. His life or her? She raised her eyes as best as she could, she knew her father could not survive much longer. He could at least get a job, he could at least work...unlike her. Her nails made contact with the hard floor when he asked crass questions. Her father could not bring himself to answer and Melia wanted to tear the man who asked such questions throat out. She heard her name but refused to raise her head. Not to that voice. Melia would have fled if it had not been for the large hand grabbing her cloak. The quip about her sister flooded her cheeks with red. She felt her feet drag along the ground and her cloak harshly torn from her arms. She hissed at the men who undressed her. Her undress was nothing to be proud of. A mucky blue dress that had been patched multiple times. The way the guards had torn her cloak from her, the neckline of her dress was now dangerously low. Revealing her full figure as she glared at the floor.


Melia dropped her hand to hold her fathers. She took in a deep breath and finally raised her eyes to look at that horrid man. Her sea blue eyes were filled with anger. The man was striking but she could see the smoke of evil that followed him as he walked. Her hair hung around her face limply but the anger that radiated from her surprised her father. He had seen her angry when her doll was taken from her, when other children pushed her sister or when she was stopped from visiting her brother. But this. This was anger like never before. Her father squeezed her hand gently, "Please Melia don't." Melia raised her chin, glaring the man down as he walked around them. She knew what had to happen, she knew her father would never force her to. But if she accepted it...Then he would see that she was alright risking her life in order for hi to survive. "My father is needed to keep our family from sinking." She said bluntly to the harsh looking man before her. "If the choice is his life or me....Then I will stay." Her eyes moved slowly to her family, softness finally entering the blues of her eyes. He shook in her grip, he never did have a strong heart. "Papa you know you are needed at home. Mama and Sophia need you more than they need me." Her fathers eyes welled up with tears as he watched her. She met every challenge face on, she would meet this demon of the depths and he was certain she would survive.

[Dark Pigeon]

She was something else alright, he had not seen such will to fight in any peasant for a very long time. Most were smart enough to keep their eyes to the ground. They knew what this man could do, and he would do so with ease. "Well, well.. it speaks" Salvador said as he moved closer to her, but still keeping a distance between them. His guards grew weary with their king seeming to challenge a girl as feisty as Melia. He looked into her eyes, eyes he had seen before.. but where? "Such anger. Normal people look to the ground when they see me.. quivering in fear like the vermin that they are. Such a noble creature you are, giving up your freedom for such a lowly little shit like he is." He looked down at the man who kept his eyes locked on the floor, he did not even dare to look up at his daughter anymore. "Your daughters freedom for a piece of coal? Now.. tell me mister Sessile.. is it worth it? That piece of coal." Salvador asked him as he moved over to her father. Fully ignoring the young girl "N.. No.." the man said, his voice no longer sounding like that of her father. "No?? Are you sure? I mean.. you did just trade your daughters well being in for a piece of coal. Oh.. the thinks I am to do to her while you sit at home, eating that filth that your worthless wife is to cook for you. While that crippled little bitch will just eat and eat away. While you know, that the worthless brat is never to work, nor find a man that wants to fuck her." He said as he felt rather content about himself.

Salvador towered himself over Mister Sessile and looked back at Melia who was now his. "Well then" Salvador said as he nodded and smiled "off you go" He said to Mister Sessile as he tapped his cane on the ground. The guard seemed to almost jump up as he did so, their attention now fully on Salvador. "Take this maggot away.. and make sure he takes home this piece of coal. Surely we do not wish his family to grow cold now do we?" THe guards nodded and quickly grabbed mister Sessile from the floor and started to drag him away from Melia. Salvador just walked up those big ugly stairs, cold marble that lead to his golden throne where he sat down while her father was taken away from her. Not even a change to say goodbye, not even a change to feel the loving embrace of her father.

Salvador let go of his staff, it did not even drop to the floor as it just stood there all on its own. Salvador sat in his large golden throne almost feline like, his bright green eyes staring down at Melia. "Welcome... child" he said rather chipper, though he seemed to get bored and tired of this already. " Hummm.." He said, eyeing her up and down as if he was deciding to buy a couch. "Now.." he looked at her very serious like, his eyes pinched as he leaned a little bit forward "How can a girl like you be so fat. Did your father steal more from from me than just a piece of coal? Or do you fatten yourself up by stealing the food from your worthless little crippled sister?" he asked her, trying to get her to bite.. dear lord.. how he wished for her to lash out.

[Scottie]

She caught his eye and glared at him, refusing to back down even as he hissed at her. She was not normal, not in the slightest. Anger flared back up in her eyes when he called her father a little shit. She kept a tight grip on his hand, even as her father stammered through his answers. Melia dragged her eyes to her father as that worm spoke, she didn't want to think of her future only her family's. Only of the long years they would live. Only of how warm her sister would be, how safe she would be. More and more rage bubbled under her skin, calling her mother worthless, calling her sister a bitch. Her grip tightened on her fathers. She heard that thing tap his cane against the ground and felt like the room burst back into life. Wait. He was leaving. Melia clung to her fathers hand but the guard quickly shook her off. "No. Papa." Her words echoing after him as he was dragged away. Her feet slapped against the night like floor as she tried to chase after him. But he was gone. The door slamming after them.

Melia fixed her eyes on the door, watching it like at any moment he would return. She heard that worm speak, happy....and calling her child. She turned her head slowly to look at him. She tilted her head as he eyed her up, moving around to face him. Walking slowly towards him as he spoke. Her steps faltered when he called her fat. Her teeth ground together as she moved to standing before him. Her father stealing from him...Hah. She glared at this piece of shit before her. "My father does not steal food." She said bluntly. "Nor do I steal." Her eyes settling on his. Her hands moved to clasping behind her. Wishing more than ever for a knife. To plunge it deep into this mans heart...oh it would bring her such pleasure. He kept his eyes on her and she shifted slightly. She hated how men used to look at her, how they would watch her every movement just in hope that the wind would pick up her skirt or she would bend over. That soon stopped when they met her blade like tongue. The noise they would receive was enough to make them look away. She glanced down and noticed that her dress was askew. She fixed the neckline as she tried to calm her anger. "Don't worry. I wont steal from you. Nothing you can give me that I'll want." Her eyes snapping back up to him, spite lacing every word.

She heard a soft noise behind her and turned her gaze to see the guard return to the room. Her neck strained to see through the closing doors. But nothing was there, only an empty corridor. Her gaze slowly dropped to the ground and she turned her head back so that she was staring at his feet. The very shoes he wore were worth more than every stitch of clothing on her body....and her family...and everyone in her small village. She let her mind wander, how many other girls had been standing here. Where were they now? What did he do to them? Did he let them go...or were they rotting with those screams....pleading for mercy. How many daughters did he steal away? How many children did he take? Is that how he got his powers? She snapped her eyes up to see him and let her wide blue eyes settle on his sparkling green and held his gaze. Not saying anything, just staring. He looked rather gaunt...was he calling her fat because he wished to feast on her flesh. She tilted her head watching him, she had never heard that rumour before but many others. She let her eyes drag slowly down his body, taking in every inch of him.

[Dark Pigeon]

Salvador had his chin resting in his hand as he had his leg hanging over one of the armrests of his chair. It was not the most comfortable of chairs he had in the entire castle, but it was his and it did make him seem like the all knowing ruler that he found himself to be. Kindness truly had left him decades ago, he did not even know what it truly meant anymore. He would not show it to this girl, he would never show it to any living human being that came into his view. All he felt was this white hot anger, and it was all that kept him alive. He knew by the looks of this girl that she would be a handful, and he would not have requested for her if he had not known this before he had even met her. He knew everything about the Sessile family, or at least a lot. The true one knowing the names and other details about them was Stellos. So, when she said that he could give her nothing that she wanted, he knew that he could show her that she was wrong, so very wrong.

"Nothing that you want?" He asked her as he tilted his head, a slick smile spreading across his lips as his fingers slowly wrapped around the golden staff that stood next to him. He tapped the thing on the floor, by the looks of it not even that hard. But a loud low ringing noise could be heard, the air around them was vibrating as the sound was almost deafening for those who were not used to it just yet. Stellos came walking into the Throne-room as he wiped some blood of his knuckles. Now that Melia was the property of his king, he would not be allowed to take out his anger on her for making him fall down. But he could do so with her father though, and by the sight of his hands he had. "My king" Stellos said with his voice ringing content as he stepped closer. He stopped as he stood next to Melia and tossed the bloody cloth before her feet as a message. "This young girl thinks I can not give her anything she wishes for" Salvador said as he looked up at his most fateful of men. Stellos chuckled lightly as he looked over at her and smirked "she sounds quite like the fool her father is sire, not to mention her brother Sammy Sessile" Stellos said, his smile only growing as he had his eyes on his king. Stellos knew that the girl would have some sort of reaction hearing about Sammy, and he was the only one truly knowing about his faith. Salvador nodded and slowly dragged his eyes from Stellos to Melia. "There is something I can give you girl, and I will have you begging on your knees for it. I will have you begging on your knees for it by the end of the day" Salvador said, his fingers wrapped tightly around his staff as both his and Stellos his smile grew dangerously.

Stellos stepped back as he saw his kings eyes lit up, the head of his staff conjuring this thick black smoke that leaked down like a thick oil like substance. "There is so much I can take away, and give back Melia Sessile. One single word and I can take the lives of your family, I can have them skinned alive, raped, tortured. Their body's left to be eaten by rats and crows while nobody dares to touch their filthy bodies. Tell me again I can not give you anything I want...I dare you to do so" He told her as he walked up to her as the smoke seemed to wrap itself around him while the entire throne room seemed to disappear into darkness and shadows. As he stood only a few feet away from her he flicked his hand "Beg" he told her, right before it all started. Pain, mind-numbing pain that would make you wish for death itself. The muscles in her body tensing up to the point that they could very well break her bones. Her brain feeling as if it wanted to break free from her skull as her eyes were nothing but hot glowing balls that sat within her skull. As she would fall on the floor in excruciating pain. Salvador walked closer to her and leaned over her as he watched her squirm on the floor as he kept the pain growing and growing. "Ask me" He said, his voice sounding pleased and almost gleeful.

[Scottie]

He looked like a lazy cat, how he flopped over that chair. She hated him more than anything else. He sat here with a smile as screams echoed the corridors around him. Her hands remained clasped behind her back but her fingernails dug into her palm to stop her quick tongue. She felt her stomach reel when he smiled. Her eyes glanced to the golden staff and already knew that to be clocked around the head with that would surely hurt. She had not expect the noise it made and her hands flew up to cover her ears. The noise was floating through her veins when someone entered. The thing was back and she snapped her eyes to him. He was wiping blood off his knuckles, throwing the cloth at her feet and Melia knew then that her father had not left the castle. Oh she wanted to tear the skin from his very body. Melia did not turn her gaze back to the bastard standing on the steps. She kept it on the thing that he walked in, her angry gaze slowly turned to shock. She had not heard his name in months, her mother cried every time one of them said his name. Did it mean he was still alive? Was he within the castle?

She had to stop herself from running into the corridor, screaming his name to find him. He had been so young when they took him. Her eyes snapped back to the "king" when he spoke to her. He could give her sammy....He could give her brother back to her. All thoughts of her family left her when that staff started to conjure black smoke, for her family did not have to deal with this....or this man. She knew her words would come back to haunt her and they tasted like bile in her mouth. He would kill her family but he would not be quick. He would tear their lives apart and let them wish for death before he even considered it. She did as Stellos did and stepped back from the man. Panic caught her throat and she continued to step back from him. She couldn't even glare at the man...because she knew it was true. If he wanted it to happen...then it would. So small vague piece of confidence fought at her feet. Forcing her to stand and not run away. She could see the darkness behind his eyes, how gaunt and deathly he really looked....and how evil reeked from every pore.

Melia was fighting an internal battle to turn and run when it hit her. Her eyes rolled back in her skull and her knee gave way. She hit the ground harshly, her hands outstretched to catch herself. She felt like her arms were breaking, everything was tight and twisting. Her eyes snapped open wide as she let out a piercing scream. Her eyes felt like they were made of fire, her skull felt like it was too small for her head. Everything hurt, everything was pure pain. It wouldn't stop, it kept going. He moved closer to her and she tried to look at him. But concentrating at all brought a piercing pain to the bridge of her nose. Her hands turned into claws as her jaw clicked into place and she could no longer scream properly. Muffled screams of pain floated from her as she tore her fingers through her skin. Her fingers tensed up and she tore her sharp nails through her arms...and then her cheeks. Nothing would bring her relief. She kept tearing until one scratch dug through the skin and broke the surface. A single drop of blood trickled down her cheeks. Her spine clicked and she felt herself curling backwards. The small scratch on her cheeks slowly started to mend itself, the skin growing back into a light pink. It was all she could do, everything else was internal and nothing she could counteract. But with every scratch that brought forth blood....it was slowly fade. It took a minute for each scratch but eventually they were all healed. Something unlocked her jaw and she let out a pleading scream. "PLEASE." Her hair hanging over her face as she pushed herself away from him. The floor even started to feel like it was cooking her, her screams only continued echoing around the empty room.

[Dark Pigeon]

How content he was feeling as she squirmed over the floor, like the lowly maggot she was to him. He could easily kill her if he wanted, but why do so quick? He could do this for hours, and never truly get bored. He smiled as he towered over her, how she was scratching at her very own skin, blood dripping on the cold marble floor while the scent of the crimson liquid hit is nose. He loved it, he loved everything about it. She would have been fine if she had treated him with respect, this she had called upon herself and by the sight of it she wanted even more. He did not notice the first wound healing, but his eye did caught the second one doing so. This truly made him feel more curious about her, and not willing to kill her of right now as it was not yet needed. She could use magic, now.. how interesting was this? Magic users were not allowed to hide their magic, to stay away from the mages schools and she clearly had. The mages themselves would even punish her for this, so he could do so now as well.

"Ask me again" he told her as he kicked her down to the ground with such ease, enjoying himself even more as the girl crawled over the floor to get away from her. "Beg, how badly do you want me to stop" he asked her as he kept following her, kept kicking her feet or arms from under her body. Stellos was truly enjoying himself, almost getting aroused as he watched his king treat the young woman so badly. Salvador wanted to lift up his staff, hit her over the head with it to make her land on her back. To touch a staff quite like this one would only bring her more agony, as the staff would find that she was not Salvador and for that make her violently ill until she would let go. Salvador wanted to force this sickness upon her, make her suffer even more. He wanted to lift it up, as he felt the very thing refuse to follow him any further. It would not move a inch in any direction and kept Salvador standing where he was, giving the girl room to get away from her attacker.

Salvador was shocked, his eyes growing big as the staff kept him from moving it, but even from Salvador letting go of it. Salvador stayed where the staff was, and he knew that the stubborn object would not do anything it did not want to do. This was the first time it happened though, and as Salvador was trying to figure out what was going on he stopped torturing Melia until he knew what was happening. Only when Melia was without pain the staff would let its caretaker move it again, but as soon as Salvador wanted to hurt the young woman it stood ridged where it was, and keeping Salvador from doing anything but just standing there tugging at it.

[Scottie]

Each breath felt like it could be her last. Yet she gulped in air to scream at him, pleading him to stop. Tears started to mingle with the blood that stained her face. She attempted to scramble back from him but every movement send thousands of pin pricks of pain throughout her body. Every muscle used was an instant regret. His words echoed in her mind and she screamed her response at him. But the words barely left her lips when her face made contact with the ground. Curling herself closer in on herself, she attempted to move away from him. "Pl..Please.please." Her voice growing hoarse from the constant screaming and pleading. She attempted to raise herself to crawl from him and he kicked her arms out from under her. Another thin cut appeared on her cheek when she slammed down onto the cold harsh floor. The cut slowly closed as the freezing air stung at her body. She continued to move, already feeling him raise his arm again. But he stopped. A small glimmer of confidence drifted through her veins and she rose her head from the protection of her arms.

He seemed perplexed by something. She took the moment of calm to move from him, then the pain stopped. She sunk to the ground and felt light headed from the attack. Her body slowly started to repair itself, taking its time in every aspect. Tears continued to dribble down her cheeks as she watched him held in place by a staff. Melia pushed herself a little further away and curled herself into a ball. Hugging her knees to her chest and burying her head in the material of her dress. She didn't know what had saved her, but it obviously wasn't him. She tried to calm her breathing and slowly her harsh gasps for air died out. Leaving the room in silence. Stellos's eyes were wide. He had never seen anything like this before. Never. He stayed still and silent but his mind was conjuring horrible things in his head. The main question he had was "why" but he would never air such questions. His eyes remained on the staff until the girl moved again.

Melia felt like she had been running for hours, every limb hurt. Every part of her stung. But she moved, spreading her skirt out and dipping into a deep curtsy. Stellos raised an eyebrow and then rolled his eyes at this silly thing. No one had curtsyed like that in many a year...especially not in this girls life time.Melia's arms reached out to either side of her and she lowered herself down till her fingertips touched the ground. She kept her head down and small patters of tears dropped to her dress. It was a chance she was taking. A big one. But she hoped....desperately, that is she showed the sliver of respect for him now that the pain she felt would not come back. So she dropped down, keeping her eyes on the ground. The words she had ready to air felt like sand on her tongue. She didn't want to say something to him, but she had to. She knew, from the torture mere moments ago that if she did not apologise that it might happen again. So the words tumbled from her lips, "I'm s..sorry. I spoke out of turn. My a.apologies." Her words quiet but they echoed clearly around the room. "I'm sorry." Her eyes on the ground as the words tasted like ash in her mouth. An angry voice in her head screamed at her for apologising, but she didn't want that pain again. She would walk through fire to never feel that pain again.

[Dark Pigeon]

Salvador was rather confused, never had his staff stopped him from doing what he wanted. If anything, it would happily help him to bring pain to others, so why not this girl? He understood that his staff did not want him to hurt the girl, he wasn't an idiot. His eyes were full of shock as he looked over at the girl as she pushed herself up to stand, never had he seen someone being able to do so quickly. As he now decided that he would not hurt this girl (knowing that his staff would make him look like a fool) he pushed himself up to his full height and felt the staff giving in, and following his master where he would take him. He tilted his head, trying not to show this young woman that she had been saved by the very staff he held in his hands, and not by himself. Stellos did not even dare to look at his sire now, fearing that his anger over not being able to hurt this girl would be turned towards him. "Good" Salvador said as he stepped closer to her, wanting to see her bow down deep in front of his feet. Feet that were sitting comfortably in shoes that were worth more than the very girl sitting in front of him.

He was so very intrigued by this girl, first the healing, than his staff... who was she, what was she? Stellos had clearly not told him everything, and for that he would pay. Salvador squatted down, making himself smaller as he wanted to look this girl in the eye. Why, what.. his mind was racing with questions he needed answers to right now. "Stellos, leave. I will deal with you later. Take the guards with you, I will deal with this girl on my own" Salvador said, his very voice betraying that 'dealing' meant pain and suffering for this man. "Mylord, are.." "LEAVE!" Salvador roared to the man as he dared to question his ruling. Stellos nodded and made sure that he and his guards would leave the king with this girl alone in mere seconds. Their feet could be heard scurrying along the cold marble floor, the door closing quickly as the last man had left the throne room.

He rose back to his full length and tapped his staff on the floor before letting it go. The very thing stayed close to Melia as the entire room started to change. The darkness left, the cold marble floor did not feel as cold any longer. The walls that had been hiding in darkness and shadows came back into view, showing its beauty and color once again. The very space that had felt as if it would devour your soul, now felt warmer and more pleasant. Salvador turned around and glared at his staff "Stop that" he told it, the staff did not react, if anything the very room became more vibrant in color and warmt, even the smell of freshly cut grass and flowers would soon fill up the throne room. "It seems that someone here likes you" Salvador said as he looked at those walls that he had been hiding for such a long time. The very sight of it made him feel miserable. "Tell me now girl, who has send you. How is it that you have come into my kingdom with your magic" He asked her as he sat down on one of the steps of the marble stairs that lead to his throne.

[Scottie]

The polished floor showed a blurred reflection of the man who stood before her. She could see every movement he made without having to raise her gaze. She heard him speak and she closed her eyes to try and calm herself down. Her fingers stay outstretched though her right hand was stinging more than the other. Something was wrong with her right wrist, it was a darker red than the other and it was not healing. With her head lowered, her hair fell down over her shoulders creating a curtain around her. She could see his feet, they were horrible looking shoes. The type that someone told you were very good...purely because they were expensive. She smirked seeing them, their curved toe reminded her of the stories of jester shoes. If they had bells, oh she would be howling with laughter. She noticed that he was close to her and had moved to squatting before her. She kept her head down until he spoke, requesting the thing to leave. Melia slowly dragged her head up to stare him square in the eye, so he was to deal with her alone. That sent a small shiver of fear up her spine but she refused to look away.

When he shouted, she didn't flinch. She had been near people screaming before, screaming for attention and out of pain. She kept her grey eyes fixed on him, the green was startling in his eyes. She had never seen such a colour, so bright and inviting almost. He stood and a small part of her longed to see his eyes so close again, but it was harshly squashed by her disgust for him. The staff hit the ground again and then stayed floating beside her. She couldn't help but to stare at it. It was beautiful and all she knew about it....was that it had saved her. She didn't want to touch it, even if it had saved her...it had brought such hatred and evil to this world. Melia's attention was only taken from the staff when the wall behind it started to shift in colour. She blinked rapidly and slowly rose herself to standing. Turning to put her back to him as she followed the path of colour. The walls were intricately decorated and it felt like a layer of soot had been removed from the colour. Warmth hit her like a brick wall and she stumbled a step backwards. Her cheeks instantly flushed from the heat.
She heard his biting remark and how it did nothing to stop the movement of the colour. A small smile drifted onto her face and she lost herself in the colours around her.

Her world was so grey compared to this room. Something hit her nostrils. She had never smelt anything like it. Never had she smelt the sweetness of red flowers or the richness of fresh grass. She heard his words and turned herself to see him. Her forehead furrowing with his statement, who liked her. Him...The staff? Her eyes flicked to the staff and she surveyed it closer when the colour finally stopped its journey. Another question and her forehead creased deeper. Who had sent her? How did she come into this kingdom? She raised an eyebrow and waited for him to sit down. "S...Sent me? I came here myself to get my father. And I came into this kingdom 22 summers ago. I was born on the outskirts of the city and I have sent all my time here wanting to leave." Her eyes narrowed as she watched him. "No one sent me into this kingdom. I am no ones messenger or spy thing. M...My magic is nothing. It only came about when I turned 7....and I kept it a secret from my family." Her jaw tensed and she dropped her gaze. "I was not sent here. I was born in this kingdom and I'll die here." Her words trailing off as she looked down at her hands. Her right wrist was surely swollen and red, it was painful to touch and she scowled at it. Why was it not healing...

[Dark Pigeon]

She was not telling lies, he believed her when she said that she was born in this land and that she would die there as well. "Yes, you will die here. You are correct about that." he told her as he stayed seated on the steps of the stairs. He made sure to still look like the king that he was, but his curiosity made him look.. just a little bit less like the monster that she was. "Hiding magic, any magic is punishable by death. Every single kingdom has agreed upon this after the deviating war that has destroyed the elven kingdoms. Every single person in the world knows this, I could have you hanged for this and nobody would blink an eye." He told her rather matter of fact, she knew that this was true and because of this nobody dared to hide their magic.. so why had she? She had no reasons to distrust the other mages in this world. The only one she had reasons to distrust was Salvador. He looked different in the warm light, even he seemed to enjoy the warmth that flooded the throne room, even he had not felt it for a very long time. His body seemed ill, his skin pale and almost gray, his body looked as if someone had pulled some skin over his bones. His hair was long and sat flat on his head as the rest falled over his shoulders. His eyes were truly the most remarkable aspect of him. They were truly radiant and had this remarkable color of green that Melia had never seen before. It truly was a pity that they seemed so full of hatred and anger.

" 7 years old you say? Humm... it is quite old for a child to discover its magic by then. How did you find out that you were gifted.. and why keep it hidden? You want to leave my kingdom? Why not do so by learning with the brightest and most gifted of mages? Become someone with some importance." He tilted his head as he noticed that her wrist was looking.. different. Not that he truly cared about her well being, of course he did not. But he wanted to know how far her healing powers went. She could already heal her own body, and this without any training. She was very gifted, and he did not want to let go of someone like her. "Heal your wrist." He told her as he got on his feet again as he rose to his full height. "Concentrate on the bone, try to feel where the wound is, where the bone broke, how it broke. Feel every single fiber of it, see it with your inner eye. Make it as clear to you as I am standing right before you" He told her, his hands behind his back as he stepped closer to her.

[Scottie]

Her eyes flicked back up to him, anger hidden behind the layers of grey. She tilted her head to one side, she knew the rules. She kept it hidden for good reason. She blinked slowly, being hung was nothing now. To feel that pain again, to see her family killed before...she would skip to the gallows if she was given the choice. Melia couldn't help the small smile that graced her lips when she watched him revel in the warmth. He looked like a fat cat that had found a sunny patch. She dropped her eyes again when she caught his eye. Something about the green made her stomach twist and she had to stop herself from looking at them. "Um....I fell...near the forest." Her words blunt like she didn't want to give him the full story. "I cut my leg and I managed to stop the blood." She flicked her eyes back up to him and frowned. "I kept it hidden for many reasons. I couldn't leave my family, not then and....I..I don't like..." She trailed off as she noticed him looking at her funny.

She watched his eyes trail to her wrist and she tried to hide it. But he had noticed, of course he had. "I..I can't." She took a small step back from him as he stood. "I can't." She repeated her words harsher this time. Another step back and she held her wrist in her hand. She faltered in her next step and tried it. Closing her eyes as she tried to picture it, concentrate on the bone. Feeling where the break was. Feeling each and every small break that it had. She tried....and tried...but her breath got caught in her chest and her anger trampled her thoughts. "I can't." She said loudly. "It's broken. I can't fix bone." Her angry eyes settling on him. Another step back and she felt around with her fingers, trying to gently click the bones back into place to at least help with the healing process.

Tears prickled at her eyes as she heard a gentle click within her wrist. "My wrist is fine...I don't need to heal it." She dropped her hand to beside her. She let her eyes follow to the ground as she was annoyed at herself. Annoyed for failing again, annoyed for having to explain this to a man who could kill her for not revealing her magic sooner. Annoyed that she was stuck here. She just wanted to go home. She wanted to go back and eat her mothers stew, sing to Sophia and sleep. Melia felt like she had been awake for years, the day had barely begun but she felt ready to pass out. She didn't understand why he cared, did he not want a toy broken before he "played" with it. The mere thought made her recoil and her stomach flip. She flexed her fingers on her right hand and winced from the pain, the break was still there. But there was nothing she could do.

[Dark Pigeon]

"DO NOT LIE TO ME!" the room that had been silent for just a little while was now interrupted by his anger and inpatients with her. He knew that she was not even truly trying, but then again.. he knew how difficult it was to learn to mend bone. He knew, and he knew that she would indeed not be able to do this until she had learned the proper spells and rituals that came before mending bone. He took in a deep breath of air and walked up that damn stairs, to that horrid throne of his. "Vermin, where the fuck are you" He said angrily as he came closer and closer to the throne a small figure appeared from behind it. "Yes sire?" it said with soft high pitched voice that would irritate your very hearing. "Bring her to goat, have her washed.. do something about that hair and throw away her clothing. Find her something popper to wear. She's to stay" Salvador explained to the imp that looked up at his master with such... affection that it was rather improper. "Her.. dresses sir?" The creature asked as he looked down at Melia with hunger settled in his eyes. "Of course not you fool!" HE said, kicking the creature down the stairs, which surely had to hurt the small creature quite a lot. He bounched off the stairs and landed in front of Melia's feet. "Of course sir.. other dresses, other dresses... the .. lace ones sir?" The creature asked, looking up at Melia as her rubbed his sore little head. "No, you damn idiot.. not the lace ones. Have Goat decide, she knows what I want' he told the creature as he sat back down on his trone.

He held out his hand, and as soon as he did the staff rushed over to him, nearly hitting Melia against the shoulder. She could feel the very air move as it rushed past her. The staff stopped as it sat safely in Salvador's hand. "I will see her at dinner. Make sure that a seat is made ready for her" Salvador said as he wrapped his fingers around the staff. Vermin looked surprised, not overly surprised... but surprised none the less. "Yes sir, of course sir." He said as he bowed down deep and grabbed the skirt of Melia's dress and started to pull her along to a smaller door at the side of the throne room. Salvador looked around the room and tapped the staff on the floor. The warmth, the smell of fresh cut grass and flowers, the vibrant inviting colors... it all dissapeared and made place for that same darkness and cold again.

...

"Come, come along.. hurrryyy!!" the imp pulled as hard as he could on her skirt as they had left the throne room. "Many scrubbing, much soap... many cutting of the hair! Do the thing, wrap the cloth! You need to be ready" he said as he was almost jumping up and down to just make her walk a little harder. "Meet Goat, she nice. You be good to Goat she good friend of Vermin. You need friend here, very important." he told her as he looked up at her. They walked through the maze of corridors, turning left and right, going up stairs and down until they reached the staff housing area. "Goat, where are you!" Vermin called out as the other staff members made sure to stay away from Melia and the imp. A girl stuck her head around the corner and smiled as she saw Vermin, a smile that left her lips as she saw the other girls. Instead she looked worried. She was a lovely young girl, blond curly hair, blue eyes and freckles all over her cheeks. She was a little bit chubby, and as she dried of her hands on her skirt she walked over to Vermin and Melia. "Washing, cutting of the hair, good dress.. not the lace.. he not want the lace. Ready for dinner, she eat with him so make food must do Benjamin" Vermin told Goat. The girl nodded and looked behind her. THe big cook was already slaving away as he heard his name. "What? Oh fucking hell!" The man roared as he looked over at his perfectly arranged ingredients. "Just go! If she's not ready we all got to deal with it" He said to goat as she was normally to help out the cook. Goat nodded and smiled "You be back when you are done with her alright! Someone needs to help Becky with Jay" he said to goat, the girl laughed and let out a soft bleat. "Thanks" Benjamin said with a kind smile, before he waved Goat off so she could go and help Melia.

[Scottie]

The roar filled every space in the room but she wouldn't shy away. She knew an angry little child when she saw one. She saw them every day, shouting and throwing tantrums and never once did flinching away get you anything. So she glared back at him. She took another step back though when he got closer. She scowled when she thought he was calling her vermin. Then a creature appeared. She had never seen anything like it and couldn't take her eyes off it. Goat. Washed. Stay. Her stomach dropped when he said that, she was to stay. She could not run out and see her family. She would not see the gallows or meet a gruesome death...just yet. She didn't know what she would prefer at this moment, staying with an angry man baby or swinging from the gallows. She took another step back when that hunger reached his eyes. Even if she feared this small creature, she felt sympathy when it hit the floor. There was Goat again. She was very confused but watched the man sit down on the throne. She scowled up at him as she moved over to the imp. Almost shielding him with her skirt from the cruel king.

Then the staff whizzed by and she swore that she felt it graze her skin. She gave him a final glare before letting the imp tug her from the room. She clambered through the door and quickly tired of having him tug her skirt. So she dropped her hand to his and took his hand in hers. That got a shocked look but he continued to scurry away. She let him lead but at one point she felt like she should have taken a left. The corridor was dark and empty but she wanted to take a left. Her slow steps were not tolerated and the imp continued to tug her along. Scrubbing, soap, cutting her hair. Oh hell no. Do the thing. WHAT THING. Her forehead creased as he continued to pull at her hand. "Okay. Okay. I promise." She said softly. Though she disliked calling him Vermin. "Have you another name?" She tried to ask him but they started to run down a stair case and then they were in a bustling room.

She felt disorientated by how many people there were here. Goat. She had no clue what to expect but the girl that arrived was nothing like she expected. She was pretty, beautiful curly hair and Melia gave her a beaming smile. For she looked like the first friendly face that she had seen here. The massive man that was slaving over a stove scared her but not as much as the noise that left the young girls mouth. She bleated...like an animal...like a...GOAT. Oh goodness. Her eyes went wide but she allowed the girl to tug her away. Another door and then another corridor. Melia felt like her mouth was dry but she attempted to speak to the young girl. "Um...Goat is it?" The girl bleated back and Melia felt like she was dreaming. She barely had time to speak again when she was pulled through a small doorway and the young girl slammed the door. Melia was in awe at the room, an entire room dedicated to a bath. She had never....wait...Goat had already started to tug at her dress. Tearing her skirt off as the bathtub beside them filled up with water. Soap bubbles bubbling up to the rim as Melia tried to fight with the young girl who was undressing her. Melia lost the fight and was protesting the bath when she was harshly pushed into the water. Water spilled over the rim of the bath and Melia surfaced, bubbles covering her face as Goat attempted to bleat a small laugh at her.

[Dark Pigeon]

Goat let out a poof or air and grabbed the nearest firm brush that she could find. Now that Melia had to be ready for Dinner she had a whole lot of work to do. Not only needed this girl a proper bath, properly for the first time in her life. But she needed a hair trim, nails cut, ears cleaned, skin scrubbed, scented oils, hair put up, and a proper dress for dinner. Goat already felt like she had to little time to do so, but Goat was a miracle worker! She would get this done, and started to scrub Melia's skin with that firm brush she had found. She really put her weight behind it, and scrubbed until her very skin would become raw and red. Never had this girl been that clean! Goat her tongue stuck out of her mouth, she seemed so very concentrated as she worked on Melia..

Oils were added to the water by Vermin who did his best to make the right mixture of herbal and floral scent. Despite his looks and stature, he truly seemed to know what he was doing, as he created the perfect scent that fitted Melia just perfectly. The poor creature had to jump up every single time he had to ad a few drops of oil, but he did not seem to mind at all. "This one for hair, make shiny and easy brushing" Vermin told Goat as he gently gave her the small bottle. The girl smiled and nodded, but quickly stopped doing so as she wasn't sure if they could trust Melia or not. "Girl broke wrist, she many pain. Careful with scrubbing, I tell Becky, she make tea that help." he told Goat as he walked over to the nearest seat and climbed upon the chair so he could watch Melia and Goat. He seemed tired as he sat there "Goat can not speak, you wish to talk, talk to Vermin. He explain things to you, make you know rules." He told her as he pulled at his little boots. "If you talk to goat, one bleat is yes, two is no. Ask question she can answer with yes or no." He explained to Melia, if she ever wished to talk to Goat, she now understand how it was done. He smiled a crooked smile which showed off his sharp little teeth. Doing his best to look friendly "You ask question, many question! You need be ready for dinner. You behave, you be not hurt. You not behave, he get angry.. nobody happy when he angry. He not only take out on you, but us to. So we take care of each other. You do so, we do so" The Imp explained as he checked the nails of his small little hands.

Goat let out a single bleat and nodded as she calmed down on the firm scrubbing as she notice that it was hurting Melia. " No talking back to king, no looking angry at him, keep eyes on ground. He ask question, you answer and tell truth. If not he know, staff tell him. He name Sire, or My king and nothing else. You do ask he tell, you can not do so try, and try good. Not try is no good. He always right! Never tell him he not, even if he not right.. make him think he is.. not important." Vermin explained to her quickly as he rubbed his little knees and the back of his head. He truly had made a bad tumble, and already knew he would be sore and bruised all over the next day.

[Scottie]

Melia dragged her knees to her chest and tried to fend off the scrubbing brush. She had never been scrubbed like that before, she felt like the girl was tearing off layer after layer of skin. She winced and tried to scramble away from the woman but she had a firm grip on her left wrist. She glared at the woman when she continued to scrub her poor skin. She yelped when she felt something cold hit her legs, then yelped again when she realised it was that small imp from before. Dumping something into the bath. It stung at her eyes from the strength of it. She had never thought herself as dirty or smelling but the little thing seemed frantic in his dumping of sweet oils. Melia heard the thing comment on her wrist and she dumped the wrist under the water. Giving the young girl a wary eye as she tried to shy away from her. Melia had figured out that Goat could not speak. She flicked her eyes to the small imp and watched him carefully. What even was he? He was not something she had happened across before.

She stayed quiet, listening to the small creature. He wanted her to ask questions, it seemed that any mistake she made would not only effect her....but all of them. A soft bleat behind her showed confirmation and the scrubbing calmed gently. Melia glanced back and gave the girl a small attempt at a smile. Then she heard that she had to call him sire...or my king. She rolled her eyes until it hurt. "Ummm...." The word was drawn out, stinging her tongue as Goat moved to scrubbing her legs. "Can I call you something else?" Melia turned and asked the small imp. "May I call your Verrie? Or something." She waited for a response but another question bit her tongue. "And....Am I the first girl to be here....What happened to the others...what will happen to me...Do I have to stay?" She sounded so very young in her questions. Goat moved to her legs and raised them, scrubbing at the skin and trying to be gentle around her many bruises. She could not heal bruises, not any faster than anyone else. They were small signs of defeat that littered her body.

Melia snapped her eyes from Goat back to the small Imp. "I do not think if I behave I will not be hurt. B...But I will try." She said softly, her eyes moving to the water that was growing darker with every scrub. "W...Um...W...What will happen tonight?" She sniffled gently, tears were threatening to spill out. She knew dinner but what about after. What about all the horrible things he told her father? Would he use her and throw her away? The mere thought made her want to be sick. "How do I keep him h.happy?" Her eyes stayed on the water as a tear dribbled down her cheek. Goat moved to her hair and tugged it up into a high bun so that she could scrub her back. Melia snapped a hand back and covered the back of her neck. Holding it in place, she didn't want it touched. She hated having it touched, it sent horrific feelings through her spine. Another tear dribbled down her cheek and landed into the now mucky water as she struggled to accept that this was now where she was meant to stay.

[Dark Pigeon]

Vermin shook his head voilently "No calling different name, I Vermin, she's Goat! If he find out you call other name, we be punished" He said almost in a light panic as he feared that this girl would be the death of them. Goat even bleated ones to confirm that she did not want her to call her by any other name. She was as lucky to be called goat, that bleating was the way she spoke. It could have been so much worse, that she knew better than anyone else. "You not first girl, girls came before you, girls come after you." Vermin told her rather bluntly as he stretched his little back. Goat looked over at him and looked worried about Vermin. He did not deserve any of this, he was such a kind hearted soul. "Yes you have to stay, stay until he tells you otherwise." Vermin told her, bluntly. He was not go to make any of it sound better than it was. "Though" he got of his chair and walked over to her. He had his hands on his hips as he looked up at her, there was something about this girl that had made everything go so very differently. Never had Salvador invite someone like her to come and eat with him.

"NO.. NO! You do BETTER! Not try but DO! You suck up pride, such up anger! You please him! " Vermin told her rather angrily. How dare she suggest that she was to try, was she an idiot! Had Salvador not just torture her?! "Little woman, you not understand. He kill you, he hurt you, he make you beg! He very good in mental torture. He hurt your family, make you see! Yes, he maybe hurt you because he like! But..." He looked over at goat, the girl had not yet heard about what had happened... but Vermin had seen it with is very own eyes. "Something stop him, something stop him hurt you. He ask questions, he want know you. He invite you to eat with him. You different, he not eat with girls. Room was full of light, warm... never seen before by us. Something is off... I not know what, not why."

He crawled on Goats lap and made his way up to her neck so he could sit there. He had both feet hanging over her shoulders, and his little arms resting on Goats head as the girl kept scrubbing away. "He want to know you, you tell him. You tell him nicely, respect. You say food is good, you thank him for eating. Say, thank you for bath, thank you for good dress.. pretend he not an evil vindictive man. Pretend he nice, pretend he good man." Vermin told her, not even knowing if this would truly help. Goat carefully nodded and let out a single bleat. Of everyone in this damn castle, Vermin knew Salvador the best . "I talk to King, I tell him you want to ask question. You curious about you magic, you very sad not pleasing him healing broken arm. He might be thinking "i can help girl, I know magic" He very proud man, he always thinking he best mage. We pet his ego, make him think you like him" Vermin said, nodding as he planned his little plan. "But you do this, you be off good" Vermin told her, hoping that she would agre upon such a plan.

[Scottie]

Melia blinked rapidly at the violent response. She had to call him vermin. The panic in his voice nearly made her panic, Goat bleated to confirm this and she wanted to go home. She wanted to go home now. Another tear dropped into the water, she was not first nor would she be last. She would not stay here like a toy, it was not fair. If it came to it, she would tear her throat out. She would rather choke on blood than be a thing. The creature was not helping her at all, she felt him walk closer and then heard him shout at her. She turned her eyes to him and glared at him. Pulling herself closer to him, anger clear in her deep grey eyes. "I will do as I can. Do NOT tell me to stop my pride and please that monster. Of course I understand." She said angrily, her voice echoing around the small room. "He has already told me what he would do to them. How they'd rape my sister, make my mother watch and skin my father alive. I cannot stop him. But...But.. What if I wish for death hm? What if I think it better than spending time with that beast." Her words spitting at him until Goat tugged her hair back. She sent a seething glance to the other woman and kept her knees close to her chest.

She didn't pay attention to that creature any more. She concentrated on the dirt swirling around her. How it drifted on and off her skin. The thing kept talking to her, telling her to be polite. Telling her to do as she was told. Say thank you for the food, for the bath and for the dress. She stopped crying now, she was ready to scream with anger at that little thing. What else would she say thank you for hmm. For him stopping his torture of her. For him stopping the death of another. Or anything worse he decides to force upon her. She glanced at her wrist again and noticed that it looked slightly better. That clicking them into place was the best thing she could have done. She swivelled her eyes back to Vermin and stared at him. "Fine. I'll do that." Goat patted her arm and Melia stood, the water falling off her as the dirt slid back down into the tub. She threw a small bucket of water over her and she was wrapped in a large piece of cloth.

The next half n hour was horrific. Her hair was pulled back and trimmed and then piled up in soft curls. Melia had fought the updo but Goat snapped at her fingers. Seeing the scar across her neck clearly for the first time, it looked angry like it had happened mere days ago. Goat did not touch it but continued with every thing else. Melia stayed silent other than agreeing to what Vermin demanded of her. She asked Goat quietly what she should do, if she should stand , stay still. The girl bleated back every response until Melia stood before a grubby mirror. Her body squeezed into a dark red dress. It hit the floor and was cinched at the waist. It had a simple sweeping neckline and looked expensive but not sparkly. Melia hated her reflection, she wanted her old clothes back but she had seen Vermin march out the room with them. Her hair was washed and shone in a beautiful updo. Her nails were freshly washed and trimmed. Her right wrist was bruising gently, turning a brilliant purple colour. She sat where Goat gestured to and waited for her next instruction. She was about ready to give up, already planning on which knife to kill herself with at dinner.

[Dark Pigeon]

Vermin dropped his little shoulders as Melia showed her anger towards him. He had not meant to make her upset, it was just that he always had to deal with this shit all the damn time. He was so tired of it all, and sometimes forgot that the girls that came to 'visit' Salvador, were here for the first time. "I am sorry that I yelled" he said, his voice calm as he brushed Goats hair back. The girl gently patted Melia's arm in an attempt to calm her down. Goat gently placed Vermin on the floor so she could concentrate on helping Melia out of the bath so they could deal with the girls hair. "I sometimes grow insensitive if it comes to these matters" Vermin said as he kept his back turned towards Melia and Goat, he would not loop upon the naked form of Melia as he spoke to her. "I deal with the household. I make sure that dinner is on time, that our king is tended to perfectly. Keeping the castle clean, keep the household staff at work and safe from our lord and master. It is not an easy task... he's not a man that is easily content" Vermin said as he looked around the bathroom while Goat was tugging on Melia's hair in the hope that it would be more presentable.

"I am sorry that you are here, and under these circumstances. It can not be easy to be away from ones family. I promise you that we will help you to make sure that he steers away from hurting your family. We have done so before, we have even succeeded.. a couple of times. But things are as they are right now, and the only person that can truly help you now is you. We all have to suck up our pride, pretend that we are content in working here. Nobody here is glad that they work at the castle... .well.. maybe the soldiers are. Steer clear from Stellos!" He turned around and held his little finger up in the air, this truly was a very important tip!. "Stellos is even worse a monster than our king. He does everything he can to please him, and takes out his anger to those that stand below him. At least our king has the decency to... to.. emm..." He shook his head, nope.. his king did not have any decency. Goat looked down at the little imp and showed him with sadness in her eyes. Vermin knew Stellos better than the rest of the household, and from what she had heard he truly was a monster.

Goat tossed the dirty clothing of Melia towards Vermin, and gestured towards him that they could be taken away. If anything, Vermin was only making Melia more uncomfortable. She needed some rest, some time to think.. and she could not do so with the Imp talking up a storm. She patted Melia on her shoulder and smiled to her through the mirror. Now Melia had some time 'alone' even though Goat was still working on her.

....

When she was finally done, Goat walked with Melia out of the bathroom and back to the kitchen. She needed to learn about all those forks and knives, how to hold a cup, how to drink, how to eat, swallow, bow down for her king.. all the shit that one needed to do when in the company of a man quite like Salvador. Vermin gone, doing chores and making sure that everyone was doing as they should. As they reached the kitchen, they could smell the wonderful cooking that was going on inside of the kitchen. The table was set for one, as it would be in the dining room later on. Becky, Goats mother and the wife of Benjamin was waiting for the Melia and smiled gently as the girl walked into the kitchen. "Welcome dear, I am Becky and this wonderful angry looking man is Benjamin .. my husband." She said sweetly. She was a fat small woman, blond curls and freckles quite like Goat. Benjamin only looked up as he heard his name "Welcome, sit down.. I made some soup for us all. Best that you have some food in your belly before you get to meet our lovely king again" the man said, his voice incredibly heavy, his eyes set on eternal anger and frustration. "Yes, yes" Becky said as she walked up to Melia and lead her to the table. "You have met my lovely girl L.. Goat" She said as a towel hit her from behind the head. "Careful! We don't know if we can even trust that girl." Benjamin told his wife. "Oh come now.. we are all in the same mess now aren't we dear?" Becky asked Melia gently.

Benjamin only growled and kept stirring in the large pot in front of him. Dinner was still a couple of hours away, but there was still a lot to be done for him. "Just teach the damn girl. She be gone soon enough and you be left in tears thinking you lost a damn friend" Benjamin told his wife as he kept his eyes on the meat that he was cutting. "OH STOP IT!" Becky said, nearly in tears as she rubbed Melia's back. "we.. come dear, don't you listen to that big angry man. He sometimes forgets his maners. He's nothing but a grumpy old bear! He's a fool darling, you will be alright! Come.. let me tell you about all those forks and knives.. " She said sweetly as she gestured for Melia to take a seat.

[Scottie]

Melia made a mental note to apologise to the small imp. She understood better that all of them had been here for a while. They knew what would happen but they had grown to see the girls he toyed with as toys. He had grown to be insensitive to them if they caused pain to the others. Melia did believe the imp that the bastard who sat in the other room was not the most pleasant boss in the land. This was the longest she had been away from her family, she had never visited her brother in his new house so being here....felt like an eternity away from home. She was happy that he suggested they could try to keep her family safe, that was all she needed to hear. She wanted her family safe and happy, she wanted them to live out their days together even if she could not be there with them. Stellos was obviously a piece of work, she knew that he had done something to her father. She was certain of that.

The corridor felt like it was never ending, she had stopped again when she passed a room. Her forehead creasing as she was certain that she should never pass it without peering in. The heat hit harshly and she wrinkled her nose when the food drifted to her. It smelled delicious, she had never smelt anything like it. The table was set for one....she was confused about that. Wouldn't they eat with her? She flinched when a happy voice filled the room, turning back to see a shorter and plumper version of Goat. Becky. Melia made sure to note their names, Benjamin. He was the type of man that she wouldn't want to meet in the dead of night. Anger registered in every single one of his movements. Soup. Melia lived off soup, so she was pleased. Melia watched the small family squabble and blinked rapidly. Not yet opening her mouth to speak. Oh that was blunt, Melia snapped her eyes to the large cook. 'She be gone soon enough' Not if Melia had anything to do about it. Melia felt a hand rub her back as she was pushed into a seat. Melia gave the older woman a small smile and nodded. "I...I only know that one." Her fingers hovering over the largest spoon before them.

Becky smiled and let out a small sigh, this was surely going to be tough. It was soon apparent that Melia could pick up things very quickly, especially if they were handed to her. After a short half hour, Becky tested her. Melia picked up every fork and recited what they were for before moving onto spoons and then onto knives. Pain hit her hand when she picked up the first knife, a steak knife, by the blade. Becky made a soft shrill noise as she took the blade from her hand. "Oh dearie me. Don't pick them up by the blade. Not even the ones you think are dull" Melia nodded as Becky pressed a cloth into her palm. She should have know that, her brother always had a small knife for hunting near the forest but she just presumed....that they were different. She continued the rest of her test, pointing out which glass to drink from and when to drink from it. She placed down the cloth as her hand had healed beautifully must to the surprise of Becky.

Once she was truly taught well and had finished the beautiful soup, she was shooed out of her seat. The room was getting steadily busier as more and more people appeared, coming to help Benjamin make dinner or clean plates etc etc. Goat was shooed out with her, she was tasked with taking Melia where she needed to be next. Melia kicked at her dress as she wandered through corridors with Goat. Stopping occasionally at paintings and beautiful ornaments. One corridor they passed was darker than the others, she stopped and stared down it with awe. She knew this place, she had dreamt about it many a time before. She could barely step foot into it when Goat tugged her down another corridor and towards where she was meant to be.



Benjamin only growled and kept stirring in the large pot in front of him. Dinner was still a couple of hours away, but there was still a lot to be done for him. "Just teach the damn girl. She be gone soon enough and you be left in tears thinking you lost a damn friend" Benjamin told his wife as he kept his eyes on the meat that he was cutting. "OH STOP IT!" Becky said, nearly in tears as she rubbed Melia's back. "we.. come dear, don't you listen to that big angry man. He sometimes forgets his maners. He's nothing but a grumpy old bear! He's a fool darling, you will be alright! Come.. let me tell you about all those forks and knives.. " She said sweetly as she gestured for Melia to take a seat.

[Dark Pigeon]

An entire day had almost passed with Melia being in the castle. She would soon find that many paintings were taken from the walls, leaving bare spots on the walls where you could see the discoloration on the richly decorated wallpaper. The only paintings left were of animals or sceneries. But nowhere, not even one single time would she find paintings portraying the king himself, or his ancestors. Vermin came walking up to both Goat and Melia, his little feet carrying him as fast as he could to reach them just before Goat took Melia around the corner. "She learned, she did the thing?" He asked Goat nervously as he tugged his boots up. Goat let out a single bleat and nodded, she even smiled proudly as she knew that Melia had just been the perfect student. "Good, good.. he be pleased. I teach you myself, but little time. You be fine, he in good mood. He very exited because you have magic. Try to talk with him bout magic, ask question. Maybe he leave you alone this evening, maybe he want you do other thing." Vermin said smiling, even nodding to make Melia truly believe that something else could happen tonight than what she had been fearing.

Goat seemed very surprised, she had never met another magic user besides Salvador. She wasn't sure if she felt all that good about it, if she was even safe. From what she came to understand, magic corrupted, and because of that you became evil.. it had to be like that.. right? Well, not the lord of light of course, he would come and safe all of them, she was pretty sure he would one day. "we bring you to dining room now, here you eat with him. You not sit before him, not eat before him, not drink before him.. Becky told you all this?" Goat let out a bored bleat and nodded.. duh! of course she had. "Just asking, make sure all good" Vermin said nervously as he stopped before a tall door that would lead to the dining room. "Good luck" he told Melia as he pushed open the door, to reveal the room behind it.

[Scottie]

Her fingers danced over the walls, paintings had left them long ago. But the wall paper remained the same. It seemed like someone wanted the reminder of what lay there without actually seeing them. She heard Vermin before she saw him, for his small feet pattered against the hard floor. She gave him a small nod before following the two. She let her eyes drift over the wall as they spoke. Of course she learned, she was a fast learner. She raised an eyebrow, he was happy. That didn't seem right. She hated that he knew she had magic. It terrified her...because he could use it against her. Her wrist was a painful reminder of that. She nodded gently, wanting them two to leave her feeling a little more at ease. But her smile slowly faded, "maybe he leave you alone this evening", she didn't want to know what he would do if he didn't. She felt her stomach flip at the mere thought.

Melia nodded with every order that Vermin gave her. "I know I know." She said softly, though she could tell both were nervous now. The doors swung open. The room was immense, the only real light was a bubbling fire set in one wall. Vermin sauntered in after her, "Do not worry. He be here real soon. Be nice. Nice room." He said after Goat gave him a warning look. He was to be kinder now, for if he got her angry....before the King arrived...it could mean pain for them all. Melia wandered into the room, her eyes frantically flicking over everything trying to take it all in. She struggled to see much in the darkness but she still moved into the centre of the room. Just in line with the fire. She raised her eyes up and she swore it was like looking at the nights sky. With small dots of stars across the ceiling. She could lie down and stay there for hours. But the doors slowly closed behind her.

A single glance behind her, told her that Goat had left but Vermin stayed. The small imp slowly moved up beside her. Melia gave him a small smile before turning her attention back to the ceiling. She stared there for a few seconds more as Vermin muttered gently to himself. Going over the instructions he had been given and making sure that they were completed. Melia slowly lowered herself to squatting beside him and gave him a larger smile. "I am sorry for earlier." She whispered to him, knowing he would be scared that the king would hear. "I understand that you are worried for them all. You don't want them getting hurt. I will be on my best behaviour okay. I promise." She took his pinky finger and linked it with hers. She shook his hand gently before glancing at the large egg bump on his forehead. "I can help that if you'd like. At least stop the stinging." She said pushing herself to her feet. "You need only ask." She turned her eyes back to the ceiling and clasped her hands together in front of her.

[Dark Pigeon]

Vermin was not really used to stranger making themselves shorter so they could see him eye to eye. He stepped back and stared down at Melia as he came to understand that she wanted to say sorry. He blushed and looked down at his shoes as he linked his little pinky with hers. "Gaw.. is alright, you nervous! Vermin understand. Vemin understand very good" he told her as he started to blush only that much harder. He looked up at his little head when she asked if he wanted her aid. "No, is good. If he see is gone, he make me new one. Having bumps keeps him from hurting me. He always want to see pain in Vermin. Bruises, bumps, cuts. If anything, they good" He said to her sweetly as he nervously looked around the room, knowing that soon Salvador would come and have his grant entrance.

A door at the other side of the room opened and a couple of soldiers walked in before stopping, standing on two small lines of 5 soldiers. Salvador was right behind him and walked over to the center of the dining room before the door behind him closed. He had changed his clothing, no longer a long trail, nor the heavy silk green he had been wearing before. Instead he wore a robe that stopped at his ankles, his robe was made of a thicker material, meant to protect him if the girl had any plans. He wore tight black leather bracers that were heavily decorated with gold, and his hair was tied back into a pony tail. He had not brought his staff this time, as he found that the damn thing needed a time out after what had happened earlier that day. "Well, well.. you clean up rather nicely" He told her as he waited for her to bow down deeply for him. "Good work Vermin, you can leave. I do not want her to look at you while she is to eat.. she might loose her apatite" He joked. Vermin nodded and chuckled "Of course sire, thank you sire" He said as he bowed down deeply while he walked back.

Salvador walked up to his chair and sat down, the table was heavily decorated with flowers in large silver vases. The plates and cutlery were all silver inlayed with gold. Everything reeked of wealth. Only when he had sat down she could do so as well, and by the looks of it she wasn't allowed to be to close to him with the knifes and forks laid out on the table. Instead she was to sit on the other end of the table, far away from Salvador.. but close enough so that they could have a conversation. "We do not pray to the gods here, nor would thy even hear you speak... now sit" he told her as he gestured for her to take her place.

[Scottie]

Melia chuckled when a pink graced his cheeks, she sent him a wink. She did want to help him, she had even thought about just helping the sting but leaving the bump there. She was about to air her thoughts when the door slammed open. Her eyes snapped over to a row of soldiers who marched in. She would have stepped back if it had not been for Vermin holding her still. "Stay. Stay." He said softly as she counted the soldiers. She would have rolled her eyes as Salvador entered the room. Dear lord did he looked a right arse. He had changed himself into new clothing, his hair up and the staff was missing. She found herself drawn to those green eyes again, entranced in how they glanced her over. She slowly dropped herself down, her fingers outstretched until they hit the ground. She heard him speak to Vermin and thought that she would prefer the creatures company to the man before her. She waited a moment after Vermin left before bringing herself back up to standing.

She kept her hands clasped lightly before her stomach as he wandered around the table. Everything looked beautiful...and expensive. Never in her life time would she be able to afford even a spoon that lay on that table. Her eyes flicked to the knives that sat there and made good note of the largest and sharpest knife. When he gestured for her to take her place, she moved to the end of the table and sank into her seat. She had never before sat in such a comfortable seat and she believed that merely sitting on it meant she was decreasing its value. "I do not pray to any gods Sire." She said gently, trying her best to be polite. That was true, her father never instilled religion in his children. For the gods never blessed him or his wife so believing that a higher being could help them would only hold them back. Melia kept her hands on her lap as she dragged her eyes up the table to see him. She wanted to fidget, to drag her hair down over her neck to touch her face. Anything to break the silence. But she kept it there, like it was another party guest. Her eyes bounced over piece on the table before her. Counting them silently in her head until her eyes reached him. She caught his eye and held it, unable to look away from the brilliant green that sparkled back at her. Thought it may be filled with coldness and hate, she could not look away.

[Dark Pigeon]

Salvador was content to hear that the girl would not beg over praying with her gods, this one seemed to learn quickly that you just had to do as he said, and that pleased him somewhat lightly. "It is not that they have granted you anything in life to be grateful off. Only the worthlessness of your existence and that of your family" Salvador said with a snide tone as he waved his hand into the air.The room started to get more lively, no longer this deadly silence that Melia shared with Salvador. Servants started to come into the large dining room that was as dark and uninviting as the rest of the castle. They brought with them plates full of food, and enough wine for both Salvador and Melia to feast upon. The entrée was set on the table before them; Lovely large prawns with garlic butter. The very sight of it truly was something Melia had never seen before. If Becky had not told her about the entire dining experience she was to have, the poor girl would never have known what those strange looking creatures were, and if she could even eat them.

Salvador noticed how she kept looking at him, how she was staring at his dramatic green eyes. Not many people that dared to look at him in such a manor, especially not after a torture inflicted by himself. This girl was truly unlike the others, and as he looked back at her he could see that her eyes were filled with much anger. Anger that she tried to keep hidden in order to survive. As whine was poured he waited for the servants to step aside so he could start eating, and have a conversation with Melia while they both enjoyed some food. She was one of the first captives that he would have dinner with. Especially this fast as they had only met hours ago. Even for him this was strange, but what was he to do? He was so very curious about her, he wanted to know more about the strange girl that had kept her magic a secret from others. Yes, he could have tortured her and play with the young woman, but even he was getting bored of the same old story, and even he wanted some change in his life. Even he needed to adapt, to survive.

"So" He said as he took a sip of his wine before starting on his first prawn. He could not help but to notice how the girl picked up the right utensils, she truly wasn't the idiot he found her to be. "If it pleases me that you are to join me at dinner, you will do so from this day on. I want to learn more about your magic, how you have kept it hidden. Surely others have noticed how your wounds have healed faster than others." He said, between bites and sips. "Please me enough, and I might allow you to learn to read, it is a waste to let an magic user go without learning."

[Scottie]

The smile on her face became strained but it remained. She watched his hand move through the air before the room sprung to life. Everyone who entered was desperate to please this man. As soon as it was full of people...it was empty again. Something hit her nostrils and she glanced down at the plate before her. Her eyes went wide but she didn't recoil. Becky had told her what these creatures were, she was just to imagine that they were small fishes. She could eat them...if she ate them the right way. Her eyes snapped back up to him and she noted the way he was watching her. Wine was poured and she waited until he started to move before she did. Becky had told her....that it was like a dance. That she had to follow his lead. He had to be first. She decided to leave the wine for now and work on the ...prawns? first. She picked up the right fork and knife before slowly taking one prawn to the side of the plate. She was careful in how she cut it up. Her concentration was dragged away when he spoke to her. She nodded gently, hoping that in whatever this was...she would do well enough to survive and to stop some of the torment that fell on these poor people. She opened her mouth slowly and cleared her throat. "I shall aim to do so Sire." Her words echoing through the room to reach him.

She popped a piece of prawn into her mouth and her eyebrows shot up at the taste. She had never tasted anything like it before. It was glorious. It was mouthwatering. It gave her an odd sensation....that this would be her last ever meal. She placed her cutlery down like Becky had instructed and took a small sip of her wine. It was a bitter wine and she felt like her cheeks were being sucked in from the inside. But she smiled, not wanting to drink too much for even a glass of wine got her tongue wagging. Read. Her eyes snapped up to him and she couldn't disguise her smile. Her brother knew some letters and words, he had to for his small jobs around town. But no one. No one in their village knew how to properly read. She always wanted to, there were so many things that she wanted to read. There had been an old book that was near the forest edge. She had hidden it but never read a page for she did not know how.

She slowly let her smile drop back to a normal polite one. "I would very much like that Sire." Melia kept her words at that same pitch, wanting him to hear everything. She tried to figure out how to word her past. How would she explain how she kept her power hidden? For only she knew about it! She was very good at hiding things. But she did not want to tell him that. She picked up her cutlery again and slowly pierced into the prawns. She happily ate away, doing just as Becky instructed. She couldn't help from flicking her eyes around the room. Picking out every servant that remained there and every exit. She had them all memorised before her eyes found his again. Her hand was wrapped around her goblet of wine and she took another sip. The red of the wine stained her lips and she couldn't take her eyes away from his.

[Dark Pigeon]

As the prawns were finished the second course was brought in by some of the servants. It smelled even better than what was brought to both Melia and Salvador before. While others collected the plates that stood before them. Another glass of wine was poured while Salvador looked down at his plate and nodded as he looked at the small roasted quail and baked sweet potatoes and some delicious vegies. He took his first bite and drank it down with some of the wine. Only when the servants saw that he liked the food they left. "Vermin will be teaching you to read. You will meet him every single day starting tomorrow. I can not be asked to listen to you while you pathetically try to make sense of the words scribbled down before you. As a king I have more important matters to attend to." he said as he dismembered the small creature on his plate by ripping the legs of his freshly roasted quail.

As he was nibbling on the fresh meat he looked at Melia again. There was something off about her. He was getting anxious that he wanted to get to know her. "As long as it pleases me to have you here in my presents. Nothing will happen to your family. Get on my wrong side, and I will take out my wrath on them first before I am to hurt a single hair on your head." He said with a smile spreading across his lips. "When I call for you, you will come. If I want you to share your bed with me than you will, I take it that you are untouched by any other man?" he asked curiously as he took a large sip of his wine. "I would not want to pleasure myself with a woman that was touched by another.. though I can look past it." he said as he shrugged, still drinking that horrid wine of his.

[Scottie]

The last prawn was still sitting in her mouth when her plate was taken from her. She quickly placed her cutlery down and swallowed the last bite. Her cutlery was taken from her and new ones were brought. Another glass of wine was provided and then a new plate was under her nose. The shock on her face would be almost comical as she surveyed the bird before her. Rarely was meat part of her diet. Everything looked gorgeous. She carefully did as Becky had instructed, pulling the meat gently from the bird. She popped a little of the meat into her mouth and dragged her eyes back up to him as he spoke. Joy flooded over her features as he said that Vermin would teach her to read. She wouldn't mind seeing him every day and to learn to read. Oh it made her feel ready to burst. Even his insult could not disrupt her joy. "Thank you Sire." She said trying to contain her excitement but it was difficult. She popped a piece of sweet potato past her lips and munched happily to herself.


Her eyes were slowly tearing apart her quail before she started to cut it. She didn't want to make a mess. He spoke again and her eyes remained on her bird just a little longer. As long as he was pleased with her....nothing would happen to her family. Her fork nearly clattered against the plate but she caught it just in time. Her eyes wide with shock, she didn't know if he was teasing her. Her smile slowly faded when he said that he would harm them first before harming her. If she did any wrong...at all...It could be Sophia getting the punishment. She nodded to his first order and her eyes filled with a steely coldness with his second. If he wanted to share her bed....then he could. She shook her head slowly when he asked if she had been "touched" by another. She had never even kissed another man. She had been touched by a man, as in someone grabbed her arm or pushed her...But never in that way. She had even once used her womanly wiles to get a basket of bashed vegetables. But never had she been touched. Melia shied back into her chair and aired her answer, for she feared anger if she didn't. "No I have not been touched by another man. I think I repel them." She said her eyes dragging up from the potatoes on her plate to his eyes.

They were like a homing magnet to her. No matter what else was happening in the room, she wanted to see how it appeared in those eyes. She let her fingers wrap around her goblet and raised it gently to her lips. Keeping his gaze as she look a small sip. She did notice that he had changed his mind from earlier. Something he had screamed at her father about her being pure. Melia wondered if this would have been any different if she had accepted that young man's proposal. If she had said yes instead of shaking her head. If she had thought about herself rather than her family. If she did that....she wouldn't be in this mess. Red stained her lips and the wine brought a gentle rosy red to her cheeks. Even though she was staring into his eyes, she imagined that mans soft touch when he pushed her hair back from her eyes. A faint smile drifted onto her lips before she dropped her eyes back to her food.

[Dark Pigeon]

Good, she was pure. That part of the information given to him by Stellos was correct. "Good, that is settled then" he said as he took another bite from one of the sweet potatoes. For someone that looked so sickly, as sickly as those who were dying in the streets of his kingdom. He truly had a very healthy appetite. He even ate rather quickly, not truly giving a shit as to what was the proper way, or how fast, or what was to be eaten first or second. Hell, he even pushed food around on his plate, such an animal!. He lifted his eyebrow as Melia said that she seemed to repel men, how the hell did she do that? "Those man are quite the fools, or your tongue is unnaturally sharp. But then again, there is nothing one can teach a woman with a proper beating." Salvador said as if it was well known by everyone. Though he had never learned this from anyone that he ever been close to.

He placed down his fork and knife, his plate empty enough that it could be taken away. As he did so, the servants in the room started moving again. No matter what food Melia had left on her plate, it was taken away from her. He lifted his hand, the next course was not brought but a small time out was added between meals. He had noticed how she would glare in his eyes every now and then, look into them as if there was something there she wanted. If she had kept an close eye on him, she might have noticed that he seemed to have an headache. He would rub his temples as he pinched his eyes closed. The longer they were in the dining room, the more he seemed to get uncomfortable."GET STELLOS IN HERE!" He roared in anger towards the closest servant that was in the room. The poor man was shaking in his boots and nodded, and was already on his way to get the right hand man of the king. The door behind him swung open as Stellos was waiting behind the door already. Stellos was badly beaten up as he walked into the dining room. The door was closes behind him as he hesitated to get closer to his king. "My lord, it is toying with the very fabric of time. It is acting up, and it seems to be so very grumpy. It has.... some of my men are stuck in the wall sir, and it is not letting them go" He said, his voice shaking as he was bothering his sire. "Open the doors then, let it in. I will deal with that stubborn thing" Salvador said as he felt his head throbbing more and more.

The door was swung open, and another, and another. With lightning speed his staff came rocketing through the air towards Salvador. It almost seemed happy as he came to stand next to the man. As soon as Salvador gently touched the staff he would feel his headache fade off into nothing. Stellos seemed glad that he did not need to deal with the mans staff anymore, and as he walked out of the room he looked back once to glance at Melia before the door closed behind him. The room slowly started to get a little bit brighter, feeling just less like a deathtrap for Melia. It irritated the hell out of Salvador, but he was not going to have a fight with the magical item just right now. He waved his hand again, a new plate full of food was brought before them. "Do tell me girl, tell me more about yourself. You are here to entertain me, and here I am asking all the questions. Speak.. "

[Scottie]

A piece of sweet potato was pushed past her lips. She had once again never tasted anything like it. It was not like a normal potato. She tore the meat from the bones of the bird and kept her eyes on the plate. She heard him comment and would have agreed with him. For she had a sharp tongue, but she did not agree that it could be taught with a beating. That was one thing Samuel seemed too kind to do. He would never touch her if she said no, he never touched her neck after she said no. He was like a gentle giant and she missed his sweet company at times. But he was too kind. He could never match her brothers fierce protectiveness or Melia's wit. He was a kind soul and she was not worthy of him. She dragged her eyes up to him and caught his eye. Raising a perfectly arched eyebrow up as she popped a piece of quail past her lips. She licked her lips and started on another piece of vegetable when her plate was taken. She rather nimbly caught the piece of carrot and popped it into her mouth.

Nothing else was brought and she presumed that dinner would be finished. She dragged her eyes up and watched him rub his temples, her father did it at times. Most nights normally, the stress of living in this world did that to a person. Melia violently flinched when he screamed for Stellos. She had to stop herself from scrunching her eyes shut. Her hands dropped onto her lap, out of his sight and she clasped them tightly together. Her knuckles growing white as she watched Stellos enter. Blood was drying around his nose and purple graced his skin. She couldn't help but smile when she saw those bruises. She wanted him to feel a little pain and if she could not do it herself then she would be content with another doing the dirty work. She could hear him clearly and frowned at his words. What was it? Why were they having trouble...with it? She felt confusion and worry fill her body when Salvador said to bring the thing in.


Melia could have let out a small chuckle when the staff crashed through to stand beside him. It reminded her of a dog...frantic to see its owner. Her eyes were now fixed to the staff as the room slowly got brighter. She gave it a small smile and wanted to thank it. That thought felt strange, it was a staff. An object. He spoke and her eyes flew to him. She was here to entertain him, she raised her chin gently. "I do not believe I could tell you anything you do not know Sire." She said gently before glancing at the staff again. She didn't want her words to be seen as insulting, not now that her family could be harmed as well as the servants here. So she continued and spoke of the first thing in her mind. "I recognise one of the runes atop the staff." Her left hand raised up and she floated her fingers up to gesture where. "I have seen it before. But I cannot put my finger on it. May I ask what it means?" She asked politely before wracking her mind to think of a topic to speak about. "How would you like me to entertain you Sire?" She asked him already hoping that it would not receive a crude answer. "I cannot play an instrument, my jokes are not often found humorous and my singing is not the best. My stories are grey and lacking of joy. What else can I do that may provide entertainment?" She didn't want to tell him any stories, for she believed that he already knew them all...and because they were hers. They were her silly stories about her brothers and sister, her parents and her home. She didn't want him to take that from her as well.

[Dark Pigeon]

Staff seemed content where he stood, at least.. as far as a staff can show any kind of emotion. Salvador was more relaxed, and despite his wishes the room started to get lighter, warmer, feel more at home. Salvador already knew that someone was not getting polished tonight! Salvador rose his eyebrow and tutted "Are you to say that I do not know what I want, where as.. you do?" He asked her as he took a sip of his drink. She was smart enough as to ask him a question before he could tell her what an idiot she was, she even stopped him from lashing out as her question was interesting enough for him to answer. She was now doing as told, entertaining him. "He looked up at his staff, the damn thing even started to glow a little as it liked the attention that it was getting. "The rune, it is impossible for you to ever seen it before. You are mistaken. It is an age old rune, used by mages to enhance their weapons. These runes are not been used for centuries, only the highest trained mages will know the true meaning of it. Something that you do not need to know now." He said as the staff started to slowly swirl around, stopped as Salvador told Melia that she did not need to know about it.. and then started swirling again.

It seemed that there was so little that she could do, she could not play an instrument, nor sing. He did not really want to know anything about her family as he already knew enough. "I do not care what you think, I will decide if your story's are grey and lacking of joy.. not you" he said with a snide tone before he popped some of the food into his mouth. How dare she tell him if her story's were good enough or not, who was she to think she could tell him if he would enjoy them or that he would hate it!. But there was one thing she could do that he was to be the judge off. "Then I will decide if your jokes are to be funny or not. Tell me one. If I dislike it you will take of a piece of clothing, and tell me another joke. If I can not laugh about that one, take off something else. This will keep going until you are able to make me at laugh" he told her as he took another sip of his whine before he started to eat again.

[Scottie]

Melia's eyes snapped to his and she held his gaze. Already cursing herself gently in her head. She knew that he would take it as an insult instead of truth. When his gaze moved to the rune, she followed it. No matter what he said, she knew it. She knew how it twirled and how it seemed to sigh into the next one. It clicked now where she had seen it before, gold on a back of green. How it sighed into the front cover and how her fingers had traced it hundreds of times before. Her left hand that was raised slowly dropped to the table and she gently traced that rune out again on the table. She stopped moving her hand and moved her gaze back to the man before her. She wanted to scowl at him but she knew it would be worth more pain than pleasure it could bring her. "Of course Sire." She said softly, her chin still raised high. She felt like she was dealing with an irritated toddler. Melia started to run through old stories from her past when he spoke again. Jokes. She could try and tell jokes. Her eyes went wide at the punishment for not telling a good enough joke. She would lose her clothing.

"Um..." The word was drawn out on her tongue. She knew no jokes. Her brothers told her some sometimes. She could only think of the jokes her brothers told her....when she was 8. "What do you call a fly without wings?" She glanced up, her left hand now curled into a fist. "A walk." A weak smile and chuckle came from her lips. Not even a flair of the nostrils came from Salvador and she thought of another. "Why did the man run around his bed?" She waited again until he gestured for her to go on. Her chest felt tight and her breathing was becoming harsher. She was trying her hardest, she was not funny. She knew no funny jokes. Nothing. "Because he was trying to catch up on his sleep!" Another pitiful laugh from her and nothing from him. Something smashed through her head in that moment. A joke her brother told her last time she saw him. But she couldn't use that one. Her forehead wrinkled out of worry and she violently shook her head. "It's no use. I am positively awful at jokes. I don't even know your humour." Melia said snapping her eyes up to him. "I could tell you a joke about chickens and have you rolling on the floor or I could joke about Stellos slipping on a bannana peel and have you stony faced. Can I please get a hint?" She asked, not having taken off a single piece of clothing. She hoped that he would have forgotten that bit by now.

[Dark Pigeon]

He did not smile, he even started to grow bored with the girl as she was unable to tell him one single joke that was remotely funny. These were the kind of jokes a child would tell, a simple child at that! Boy did he not like these jokes, and as she kept trying to tell another, and another.. both as dreadful as the first. He started to think that suggesting her to tell a joke, had been such a terrible idea. "You do not need to know my humor, you are right when you said your jokes are horrendous." He took another bite, and drank it down with some of his whine as Melia tried to defend herself more and more, saying that she knew jokes that could make him roll over the floor with laughter.

Made him think that she wanted to be naked to begin with, why not start with the jokes that were funny?
Silly girl.
She could be naked if she wanted!

He looked up at her and smirked from ear to ear, ow he had her now.. again!. "You are able to make me laugh, and yet.. you tell these childish jokes that have not done so. You were to take of clothes for every joke that was not funny, it seems to me that you wish to be naked in front of your king. Quite like every single woman that is in the presence of someone great, someone powerful.. you women are all quite the same. So please do so, take off all your clothes.. right now" He gestured towards her to hurry up as he himself leaned back in his chair so he could watch Melia do as she was told. "Take them off slowly, don't hurry now.. I know you desperately wish to be in your most natural form... " He said, fully knowing that this was not the case, this poor girl just wanted to please her king... and not be naked while she did so. "And tell me that joke about those chickens... and one about that fool Stellos.. " He said, his smile growing as he was so very entertained with his own cleverness.

[Scottie]

Fear gripped her throat and her mind was blank. She couldn't even think of the joke that had previously been on the tip of her tongue. Her jokes weren't even getting a smile from him. She shakily took another snip of her wine as he spoke. A smile tore from ear to ear and she felt her stomach plummet to the chair beneath her. "No...i...i..." She couldn't finish for he kept speaking. Her cheeks burned a bright red at the stupid idea that she wanted to take off her clothing for him. He hadn't forgotten. She chewed at her bottom lip and pushed her chair back from the table. She stood slowly and pushed her seat back in. She moved over a little and shakily moved her hands to the small ties that lay around her waist. "I meant that I didn't want to tell you the wrong joke...Something that may offend." Her eyes snapped up to him and she slowly undid the first dark red tie on her waist. "I'd much rather stay dressed. Quite the chill in this place." She whispered as her fingers moved over to the second tie around her waist.

"The chickens...." She trailed off and slowly undid the second tie at her waist. She waited until that tie was done and snapped her eyes back up to him. "A man goes to his doctor and says "Doctor, you have to help me. My wife thinks she's a chicken.' To which the doctor asks, 'how long has she had this condition?" Melia moved up to undo the small buttons by her chest. "Two years, the man replies. The doctor frowns, "Then why did it take you so long to come see me?" All three buttons were undone and she snaps her eyes back to him. "The man shrugs his shoulders and replies....."We needed the eggs." She wrinkled her nose as she let out a small chuckle and reached around to tug the ties free at the back of her dress. She struggled and turned a little to grab them in her fist."The um...Jokes about Stellos." She finally grabbed the tie in her hand and tugged it down. Trying her best to undo the ties around her back but struggling silently.

"Well I mean brains aren't everything...but in his case...well they're nothing." She spun and finally managed to get the back of her dress undone. Now that all ties were finished, she realised that she had to actually to take the dress off...in front of him. Her eyes snapped back up to him and she felt shame flood through her body. Her eyes returned to the ground and and slowly took off the arm parts of her dress. "I..I would surely love to whack Stellos one....but I have a problem with cruelty towards animals." Her words stumbling as nerves settled in her stomach. The dress finally hit the floor and she shuffled back behind her chair. Picking the dress up and folding it over the back of the chair. Next was her top skirt, it was heavy and already digging into her hips. Her fingers were shaking when she had to take off the small ties at the sides. "I...I'm so...v.vvery jealous of all the people that haven't met him yet." The skirt hit the ground and she folded it over the chair again. The underdress was a simple white dress, cut neatly and not showing too much of her body. She still had another two skirts and then her under dress.

[Dark Pigeon]

The chicken joke, he did not even blink so fucking boring was the chicken joke. It was as if this man was unable to laugh at normal things, as if the pain of others was the only think that would make him put that smile upside down. The only thing that he was content listening to, was the fabric of her clothing softly hitting the floor as it puddled around her feet. "I will let you know if something offends me or not, keep talking.. I want to hear the jokes that are told about Stellos." Salvador said as he took another sip of his whine as she kept undressing herself.

She was a woman with many curves, and that he loved to see. He was eyeing her up and down as her form became more visible when she removed her clothing, he hoped to see more of it, he wanted to see skin. But maybe, all he wanted to see the most was that shame in her eyes, that torment as she truly did not want to remove any of her clothing. At least he had something to smile about as she was telling her damn jokes. But then... it happened. He smiled, he smiled when she told her first Stellos joke, and his smile grew when she told the second. He did not laugh when she told the third, but by the gods! She had made the man smile with a joke she told. He only had to lift one finger to get the attention of the room, even Melia glanced up as she had dropped the second skirt from the many layers she had to remove. Salvador slowly rose to his feet and walked over to her. His eyes cold and collected, his staff following his every move as it stayed close to its master.

He kept walking until he stood right before her. She had stopped undressing while he had came closer, he could almost hear her heartbeat go banana's as he stood so close that she could count the hairs on his eyelashes. "turn around" he told her, and he would say so again if she refused until she did as she was told. When she had her back turned towards him, he started to carefully undo her corset by taking out the knots in the satin lace, and he kept doing so until the corset hit the ground underneath her feet. His fingers traced her spine, she could feel those eyes cold fingers right through the underdress she was wearing. "Turn around, look at me" he told her again, and as she did as he had instructed she would meet him eye to eye before he carefully placed his hands on her collarbone, his hands slowly going to the small buttons in the front, which he started to undo. He stopped midway, a small peek into the warm underdress that she was wearing. He pulled the fabrick away, not entirely.. her breast still covered in the fabric of the dress as he looked at her décolleté.

He looked up again, his vibrant green eyes staring at her. "You made me smile, anyone that dares to insult Stellos when he can cleary hear you... earns some of my good-will." He said as he started to button up her underdress again, hiding her breasts from anyone that wanted to peek at them as well. "sit, eat.. have some more wine" He told her as he turned around and walked back to his chair where he sat down.

[Scottie]

Why had the chicken joke not made him chuckle? It had made her roar with laughter the first time she heard it. Her fingers shook as she undid the skirt, not even wanting to look up at him. She felt fear bite at the back of her throat and when she glanced up finally....she saw him watching her like a dog watching a piece of bone. She continued to stammer through her jokes and felt a small glimmer of hope reach her chest. He had smiled. It was small at first but it grew with her second insult. She dropped her eyes to her skirt again and she finally finished the last tie. It dropped to the ground and she bundled it up. When her eyes flicked up to him, she saw him walking towards her. She pushed the material onto the chair and took a small shaky step back from him. He was too close and she felt like tear were welling up deep inside her. Her flight or fight instincts were going haywire. When he told her to turn around, it took her a moment to truly understand what he wished for. So she shuffled around slowly to have her back to him.

She felt his finger on her corset and her hands curled into fists. "I...I..I um.." Her words slowly faltered off to nothing and her eyes dropped to her feet. She felt such shame. A man was undoing her clothing like she was nothing. Like she was merely a toy to him. Melia took in a sharp inhale when his fingers ran up her spine. Anger was flooding every inch of her body, she was not comfortable in the slightest. Her bottom lip started to wobble and when he ordered her to turn. She slowly did, but she couldn't bring herself to raise her eyes just yet. Her hands were clasped together before her, her knuckles white from her grip. Melia swallowed gently and raised her eyes to meet his. He was closer than he had ever been before. She could truly see the colour of his eyes and got lost in the green while his fingers dragged over her collarbone and slowly moved to the buttons on her front. Red stained her skin and she felt warm, warmer than she had ever felt before. She tilted her head and watched him, how he pulled the material of her dress away and glanced at her cleavage. Many men had glanced at them before, but never before had a man undressed her.

Melia let her eyes drag over his face, he would have once been rather handsome. But he was cold and hateful now..he looked half dead. Except for those eyes. She felt like she had seen him this close before, she could imagine pressing her hand into his cheek. She lost herself in sweet thoughts when the cold brushed her skin. She was brought harshly back to reality, she was standing there having been undressed by a stranger. When he snapped his eyes back up to her, she held his gaze. She had made him smile, that was enough. She didn't need to end her night nude in this room. But her ears burned when he said that Stellos could hear her. Her eyes snapped around behind him, trying to search for the evil bastard. He buttoned her dress back up....that surprised her. Sit...eat...have some more wine. She opened her mouth and then closed it again. She waited until his bum hit the chair before opening her mouth again. "M..M..may I put my dress back on?" She asked him softly, her fingers gripping the dark red material. "Even just the red dress." She thought trying to reason with him. It would only need to be slipped over her head and would require little doing up. "Please." Her eyes snapped from the dark material to his eyes. Waiting for a response before sitting.

[Dark Pigeon]

He watched her as she stood there, wanting to wear that red dress again. He did not want her to look like a damn idiot with a dress that was not even laced up correctly. "No" he said, rather.. well.. matter of fact. "No, you can not put that on again. Sit down" he told her, his finger pointing towards her chair. As she crawled back in her chair, he waved his hand up and waited for a servant to come to him. He whispered something in the mans ear, the man nodded.. looked over at Melia with much.. well.. confusion in his eyes.. and he left. Salvador started eating again, popping food into his mouth, drinking his wine.. saying nothing as he seemed consentrating on getting all the nom-noms into his belly. It seemed like hours maybe for Melia, but the servant returned and walked up to her while carrying a bundle of fabric. "Put that on, the dress will only be a distraction if you are not to lace it down properly." Salvador said between bites. The servant stepped back, and waited for Melia to stand so that he could dress her into this wonderful warm red/golden silk dressing-robe-gown thing. It had birds and flowers stitched onto it. It must have taken people days on end to get this particular robe done. But it felt comfortable, and would hide her body from those who wanted to look at it.

The servant made sure that the robe as on perfectly, his hands kept tugging at the material, even her hair was put back in place. He picked up the dress that was on the floor and made sure that he was gone as fast as he could. As she was dressed, and seated again... boy did that take a lot of time!. The plates were removed - of course- , and another course was brought to the table. Creme brulee.. nothing Melia had ever seen before. "Tell me" Salvador asked as he tapped on the crust, only when he finally managed to get through it he took a bite. "Where does that scar in the back of your neck come from" he asked her, still nomming away at his Creme brulee. "Surely that is a story worth telling your much beloved king" He said, chuckling... he knew that his folk hated and feared him. "now.. that is a joke" he told her as he lifted up his eyebrow, watching her as he wanted to know if she would laugh.. or not.

[Scottie]

The smile that graced her lips faded quickly when he refused. But she wanted to cover herself again. He pointed at the seat and she lowered her eyes and moved the chair back. She sat down and clasped her hands on her lap again. She didn't raise her eyes until she heard a faint whispering. Another man was standing next to him now. The confusion he had on his face was mirrored by Melia who was incredibly confused by what was happening. Melia reached out and took her glass for another sip of wine. Her glass had barely touched the table again when a man appeared at her side. There was a bundle of fabric in his arms and she blinked rapidly at the material. She stood up, her cheeks burning a bright red at having to be seen in front of another man in this state of undress. But when he revealed the robe, her fingers reached out like it was made of spun gold. It was beautiful and it smelt like something sweet. She felt it pulled onto her arms and the material felt like smooth water against her skin. She had never seen silk before and was incredibly impressed by it. She let the young man tug it into place, she didn't want to crease it or ruin it.

She ran her hands over the material as the servant scurried away. She waited until he left and then moved back to her seat. A small smile sat on her lips as she sat down, feeling comfortable and covered. A new course was produced and her forehead furrowed. Becky hadn't explained this....what on earth was this. She snapped her eyes up and tried to copy him. Ignoring his words at first until she had cracked through the crust. Her spoon froze in mid air and she dragged her eyes to him. All sense of kindness had left them and they were filled with coldness. Even his attempt of a joke did not make her laugh or smile. She just stared at him. "I was born with it." Her words were stern and cold. "I thought that perhaps I had harmed myself as a child but my mother said it was there the first day she held me." Melia popped a little of the dessert past her lips and her shoulders sank with the taste. She placed her spoon down before continuing. "I thought her lying at first. But the mid wife confirmed it as did my da. Some of the village said it was a witches mark." Her eyes flicked back to him when she said witch. "I didn't believe them...but it's not a birth mark I can tell that much."

Her fingers crept up to touch her birth mark gently. "I may have been born with it. But it's not just that...It gets cold at times....and burning hot." Her fingers dropped again and she returned to her meal. "It is probably my mind playing tricks on me. It's just a scar." She licked the cream from her spoon before dipping it back into the small dish. She didn't want him to pry any further. She had never told another soul that it would burn at times. It hurt her when she got close to certain places. It would prickle first and then burn so fiercely that she often passed out. It was an awful thing and she often tried to hide it.

[Dark Pigeon]

"Hmm" Salvador said as he took a bite of his creme brullee. He quite liked this desert, it must be one of his most favorite one. He listened and thought, not giving her any sense of what he thought of her story... he just sat there. "A soul in turmoil, you have been killed in your previous life" he said rather matter of fact. He knew a great many deal about souls, about their ability and how the life you lived before reflected into your new one. This, the scar, the mark.. he knew what it was, and he had seen them before in this life, and the one he had before this one. "When a soul is removed from a body before its due date. When one is killed, murdered.. violently. The more violent, the more traumatic the death was.. the clearer the mark will be. It being scar like, a birthmark, pain that one can not place. Voices in the night, the sensation that someone is following you.. yet there is nobody there. That.. fear you have for something that has no place to make you fearful. Some people fear to swim, fear of water. People who are so very afraid of wolves, bears.... even when these animals have hardly ever killed a person." he told her, giving her some information about the wonderful world of souls.

He took a few more bites of his creme brullee and let out a small sigh. " The cold, heat. it happens when something upsets you. Fear, anger, sadness.. something triggers the response, mostly something related to what has made your soul think that it needs to warn your body. You will not truly know what this trigger is.. but it is there. It does not even need to be something you realize that happens, that is there. But it is, and your soul wants you to steer clear from it." he leaned back as he had finished his creme brullee, and held up his hand to stop his servants from taking the plates. This the girl could finish, throwing away a perfectly fine Creme brullee was a waste.

[Scottie]

The dessert was delicious, it was a perfect blend of creamy and sweet. She had never tasted anything like it before, never had she tasted something so sweet. Nothing could compare. Her eyes snapped up when he spoke and her small smile dropped. She had been killed in a previous life. He said it like he was telling her a bedtime story. Her hand raised to her neck and she felt the jagged edge of it. How could she have been killed that way.... Before its due date....she was murdered. Her eyes dropped to the dish before, letting his words wash over her. The more traumatic...the clearer....voice in the night...someone following her. The first tear dribbled down her cheek. She heard them every night, whispering in her ear. She could never make out their words but it was always soft and full of love. She only heard them scream when she got close to the woods. Someone followed her on certain days. Every Sunday, she felt like someone had their hand on her skirt. Tugging her to slow down.

Another tear dribbled down her cheek, plopping onto the table before her. Some fear the water...but she feared the forest. Feared the trees that stood there, the shadows that hid there. Her spoon dropped into the dessert, sinking under the cream. He was explaining her whole life to her. How it prickled in certain places. It had not done so once in this place...it was the first time she felt relief in her skin. Like this was where she was meant to be. "I...I didn't realise." She said softly, raising her spoon up to finish her dessert. "Why would someone kill someone that way....like an execution." Her eyes snapped up to him, tears clear in the grey of her eyes. She tried her best to finish her dessert but her stomach felt like it was flipping. "Why would someone kill me....I never did anything wrong. I can...I was murdered....someone killed my past self." She popped the spoon into her mouth again, her gaze staring right through him. "I...It explains things...My hatred for certain places....people...How I am drawn to things....people." She blinked twice and settled on his eyes. "My soul thinks to warn me of so much." Her words cold as she finished the dessert before her.

[Dark Pigeon]

He shrugged, almost rolled his eyes even when she said she did not realize. She was not a mage, she had never read a single book about Souls. How could she possible know anything! She was a dump girl, from a farm.. and he had saved her from that horrible life, with her horrid family. "Well.. of course you did not realize. You know nothing about souls, about reincarnation. How on earth could you possibly know anything?! such knowledge one gets from books, from years and years of study. And even then, are you ever able to truly understand it all?" he asked her, he was about the chuckle but as he saw her tears.. he knew he had given her the information she needed. But he chuckled though, of course he did.. he liked to see others in turmoil. Silly girl, she thought that her being a good girl now.. meant she was one in her past life.

"Do not be an idiot, it angers me" He told her as he waved his hand, the plates could be removed as Melia had finished her desert. "You can not know if you have not deserved to be killed in your previous life. Deserved or not, being killed is always a horrible way for a soul to go. To know that you are to die, knowing that you failed in protecting yourself. Anything could have happend, everything is possible. From you being executed in a far away land for doing gods know what. Taken down when a robbery went bad.. you being the robber, or the one being robbed. Een falling of a stairs and landing into something sharp. One can.. find out what it was. But a traumatic soul does not always want to show what has happened. Fearing that you, or.. well.. it itself... can not handle the pain that will cause it. You might never find out. Question is, why would you want to know.. what are you ever going to do with such knowledge."

He took a drink from his whine and watched the servants placed down plates full of fruit and cheeses. Again it was like a small dance, how they twirled around holding those silver plates. If anyone was hungry, now they could eat.. again and more.. much, much more. "Interesting. So, you hate certain places. This might tell you where you were killed. Certain kind of people, what kind of people might this be. And what is it that you feel drawn to Melia. Tell me, I want to hear everything about this scar, about what it is that your soul is telling you." He leaned forwards and popped a few grapes into his mouth. He seemed interested in her now, finally she was telling a story that he was willing to listen to.

[Scottie]

Her gaze could have burned through when he stared to speak. How he would put her down now. When she had been told the information she had been searching for...for years. She watched him chuckle and she raised her hands to harshly wipe away her tears. Oh she wanted to smash her glass when he called her an idiot. He had just told her that she shouldn't know...and then called her an idiot. The plates left her and she stared down at the empty space. She didn't deserve that. She knew that at least. "She didn't deserve it." Melia said quietly to herself. A new tear dribbled down her cheeks, she had not only failed herself...but another. She had failed him. She didn't know who but she knew she had. She harshly wiped away that tear as well and sniffled gently. She wanted to know, she needed to. Why on earth would someone kill her? It just didn't make sense. A plate of fruit was placed before her and she couldn't bring herself to touch it. It was filled with so many new colours and smells. It was all strange, but not as strange as the information he was feeding her.


Her eyes snapped up to glare at him. It wasn't interesting, it was painful. "I hate the woods. Where the city ends and the forest begins. I cannot enter them without blacking out." She said bluntly before resting her back against the chair. Not lowering her gaze again. "I despise...." Her words trailed off before snapping to a new topic before picking up her goblet.. "I hated anyone sneaking up behind me. Anyone who showed hatred to children. It disliked people who wore certain crests. I used to be sick when I saw canary yellow." Her fingers tapped the goblet gently. "I tried going in the forest once, but ....screams...I felt light headed....I woke in my bed, my brother brought me home." Her words were soft, as if she was walking through her experiences. "I was drawn here. This place. I normally hated it. Seeing such decadence from afar...but I wanted to get inside." She said plainly as she stared through him. "There is a room here....it grew cold...I wanted to open a door." It was like she was just airing her thoughts aloud now. "I needed to open the door. I needed to go down a corridor. I had been there before." She shook her head violently and caught his eye before dropping her gaze. She wouldn't tell him that his eyes made it tingle, made her wish to be closer to them. "And it warms me when rain appears." She said with a small smile. "I love rain...but I don't think that is something from just me..." Her words trailed off and she let her eyes follow the lines on her hands.

[Dark Pigeon]

He listened, eating grapes and pieces of cheese as he did so. His brain was racing, he wanted to know what it was that had brought her soul in such a state. Not that he cared about the girl one single bit, oh hell no! He just liked the puzzle that was presented to him, it gave him something to think about, something else than the war he was having, the price he was paying for it.. and the revenge he wanted so badly. That she was deadly afraid of the woods was a hint that it must have happened there, or.. somewhere were one would find a whole lot of tree's standing together. Souls did not always been clear about what they tried to tell, it was always a mystery with those things. His eyes seemed to lite up, anger showing.. true passionate hatred as he heard the words 'canary yellow'. The colors of the Lord of light, the man Salvador had set his mind on to kill, him and all the other mages that had stood behind him as the orders were given to take down Salvador, and his young family. Everyone in this kingdom better be hating this man, otherwise they would loose their fucking heads.

This girl better not be playing games with him know, and the more he listened to her, the less he started to believe her. His mind was clouded now by anger, no matter what she told him he would lash out at her for those simple words 'canary yellow' that truly was his red flag.. or better say.. Canary yellow? "Everyone hates to be sneaked upon. Or people that hurt children, for only cowards do so. This does not help you in your search for what has happened" he said with his voice dripping with anger and hatred as he looked at her with his eyes burning right through her. She could hear the servants move around, how they had grown uncomfortable and anxious with their king now growing angry so violently. If only Becky had told her to NEVER mention anything that remotely reminded anyone about the so very popular Lord of Light. Maybe she never had heard about this rumor, never heard of how much their king hated the much beloved man. The lord of light, the man that would come to take away this horrid king, and safe the people of this kingdom.. so many dreamed about it, so many wished for it. And yet he wasn't coming.

He chuckled, an evil/dark/omg-something-gonna-happen!!! chuckle. "You never wanted to come here, until I had your father begging me to take you instead of him. Giving you away like you are a piece of trash for a single piece of coal to keep your worthless family warm" He got of his chair, rose to his full length and took his staff. As if my magic, Stellos seemed to know that he had to come in. "Have her brought to the servant quarters. Find this maggot a place to sleep.. and take off those cloths. I will not have this bitch wearing any of it!" He roared to Stellos, who nodded in agreement and rushed over to Melia to drag the girl by her hair away from her king. "Beat some sense into her, have Vermin deal with her when you are ready" Salvador said as he started moving away from her, leaving her with the man who she just had joked about.. and boy, was he happy he finally got to be alone with her.

[Scottie]

Melia had not noticed any change in him for her eyes were on her hands. Following the lines that were etched in her palms. She hadn't even noticed how uncomfortable the staff were becoming. She heard him speak but she didn't bring her eyes up. "It's different...where it is and how deep...surely that must mean something." She flicked her eyes up and her small smile disappeared. She had never seen such anger and evil in a man's eyes. It felt like he was imagining her burning up before him. She heard him chuckle and felt sick again. How her stomach seemed to drop to her heels. "I..N..Its..." She stammered as he got out of his chair. Maggot...take the cloths....bitch. No matter if he roared, anger flared in her eyes. No one called her those names without hearing bout it. Beat some sense. Not even that made her flinch away. When Stellos came closer to her, she pushed the chair back harshly from her place. The glare she gave Stellos would have withered a normal man's soul. "You touch me and I swear one day I'll spit on your corpse." Her words like daggers at that worthless piece of shit.

Her right hand curled into a tight fist as she glared at Stellos, taking a small step back from him. Refusing to let her side of the story go unheard. "I never wanted to come here because the way I know is gone." Her words echoing around the room. "Someone closed it up." She felt like she was being backed into a corner. "I came to the wrong door to get my father...AFTER YOU TOOK HIM." Her words screeching at the bastard who smiled at her. "I don't know what sense you are expecting to beat into me. But my mind is not changing. I am not lying about how I feel. I am not lying." Her teeth were grinding together as her back hit the wall. She would happily take a beating over having him enter her bedchambers, she knew that Stellos could not use magic like Salvador could. So she stopped, her hands clenched into fists down by her sides as she glared at him. Waiting for the first strike, she wouldn't look down. Not for this worthless worm, he was no royalty. He was no better than her.

[Dark Pigeon]

Her words were to a deaf mans ears as Salvador kept walking away from her. Until she told him that a room was locked up, that the way she knew was gone. Salvador looked at her over his shoulder, his staff firmly in his grip as he let those words echo around in his head. He listened for a little while, his mind racing. But did not tell her anything, instead he kept walking. Instead of going for his throne, or for his own room.. he walked to that place that he had not been himself for such a long time. For he knew the room she spoke of, but why was she? But all he wished for now was to go there, he needed to see if it was still in the state as he had left it.. to see that nothing had changed one single bit.

Stellos smile only grew, as he knew that he could handle this girl. He was almost happy as he got to beat this girl senseless. He had his fists ready, ready to pound away on the poor girl. "Now tell me, what kind of jokes do you know more about me" he asked her, his smile growing as he towered over her. He had earned his title as the kings right hand. And not because he was nice, not even because he was smart. Only because he was truly a cruel man, and at times even Salvador found him to be just that. "When I am done with you, not even your worthless father wil recognize you." He said as he grabbed her by her hair.

[Scottie]

He left the room. He left her here to be beaten like a dog. Her eyes snapped back to Stellos and she glared at him. Her hands curled into fists. "Oh the jokes I could tell you." She sneered back at him. Refusing to back down. "You don't want to know what they say about you in the village. About the man who must be compensating for something....For something so very small." Her chin raised up high as she glared at him. "Try it. You think he'll be happy with that." His fingers tore at her hair as he pulled her forward. As soon as she was moved forward, her fist made hard contact with his stomach. He buckled over slightly but responded with a harsh slap. She was forced off her feet and hit the ground in a crumpled mess. Her mind spun as she tried to push herself back to her feet. She was pushed down again and the robe around her was harshly torn from her body. The robe was thrown to the table to float down onto a chair. "Worthless little piece of shit. You are nothing. You better learn this now." His hand was wrapped in her hair again and she felt her feet torn out from under her again. Her back hit the ground hard and she was tugged backwards by her hair. Her screams echoed out into the room. She never once plead for him to stop. But her screams of pain echoed around the castle. Melia had quite the set of lungs on her and a horrible sense of fight that would end up having her killed if no one stopped him.

Hours later.

The door creaked open gently and the small imp peered around the doorframe. The girl was curled up in the corner, the only thing left on her body was a white under dress. Well it had once been white. It was now stained red. No matter how fast her powers were, his fists were faster. Her right arm was dislocated and her wrist was broken in a new place. Bruises littered her body, blood stained every inch of her skin. She had stopped crying, no tears were left in her. The fight had left her completely and she was a broken woman. Every single one of her fingers on her right hand was broken. For she had thrown another punch and caught him again. So he stopped her from raising that hand at all. Her forehead was resting on the cold stone wall. Death would be a gift now. She would beg any one who could hear for it, but not Stellos. She continued to spit at him, growl at him and insult him until she felt her nose burst. The pain was numbing now, if she stayed there any longer then the cold would get into her chest and she would have a painful and slow death.

"Melia" Vermin croaked to the woman as he moved into the room. Goat was elsewhere preparing a small amount of bandages and healing potions. She didn't respond to him even when he got closer. One eye had swollen shut and when she looked at him, she looked clear through him. "We go now. We go get you better." Melia blinked slowly with her one good eye and shook her head slowly. "No we go. We go now." Vermin repeated. "I can't stand." Melia's voice was horrible, she had screamed for hours and her throat felt like it was on fire. "Then we crawl." Vermin said gesturing for her to go with him. "I can't walk on my arm." Vermin rolled his eyes as every excuse came up. "No. We go. Do what you can. Can't be here when Stellos come back." She nodded slowly and moved an inch a second. Struggling to hobble along after the small imp as he lead her off to help her. Vermin knew better than anyone what Stellos could do, but he was extra horrific to the girl. From what he had been told, the girl insulted him....quite a few times. So it was a terrible beating the young thing received.

[Dark Pigeon]

Becky poked her head around the corner, carefully listening of nobody would come and see who was to help the poor girl. She knew she would be in trouble, for she was not allowed to far from the kitchen these days. As soon as she saw Melia she started to sob, big tears dribbled down her cheeks as she howled one single name "BENNIE!!" She cried, not even thinking about the consequences .. like always. "Shush shush!!! be quieter" Vermin said as he looked at the small round woman as she disappeared. The imp dropped his shoulders and let out a small sigh, dear lord.. that woman would get them all killed one day! The only thing you could her were her feet beating against the floor while she ran, and kept calling for Benjamin. "What on earth woman! Shut the fuck up!" "Please come" "NO! I.. fucking fuck! I told you, don't get attached!" "Please, for me.. she, oh be a dear now" "NO!!!" "Please... don't be such an angry bear.. do something nice for a change" "Fucking hell! Fucking bullshit! this fucking shit faced piece of crap!! Fucking piss! I TOLD YOU! never fucking listen, FUCK THIS!.. already walking.. STOP FUCKING PUSHIGN ME!! " "Thank you" "Oh fuck off! damn fucking woman, fucking hell cunt!" "I love you dear"

Before Melia could leave the room, Benjamin came walking through the door. He was a BIG man, and hell.. he was scary looking. He was cursing up a storm, but as he saw Melia he stopped.. and rubbed the back of his neck, and removed the sweat of his forehead with his shirt before he walked up to her. "Come on" he said, his voice.. softer but still rough and incredibly low. "Lets find you a bed now shall we?" He told her as he carefully picked her up in those big arms of his. Becky was smiling, tears still rolling of her cheeks. She held a towel pressed against her chest as she watched her strong husband carry the girl so very easily. Lord, wasn't her husband just perfect! wasn't he such an incredible handsome man? "Where to Ver?" Benjamin asked as the Imp ran forward, for he truly needed to run to keep up with the large cook. "Wesley's old room' Vermin said "is empty, close to mine.. good for girl" He told the cook as he started to curse again... something he did a lot, and mostly very loudly.

Benjamin placed the girl on the bed and nodded. His wife was close behind him and almost ran into the room to go and help Vermin. "Hell no!" Benjamin said as he grabbed his wife by the arm. "Oh hush!" the woman swatted at the large cook, long enough for him to let go. "If you start crying again! I toss her in the bin! You hear! Fucking hell!" He said as he threw his arms up in the air and started to walk away. "Godsdamned! I get to hear you cry all fucking night! I NEED MY SLEEP DAMN YOU WOMAN!" Benjamin roared as he walked out of the room.. and back to his kitchen. "Don't you listen to him darling, he's... loud.. and mean sounding. But that man, I watched him nurse a litter of kittens once, giving them milk, rubbing their bellies, keeping them warm!. He's as nice as he's.. well.. like that" Becky said as she gestured her daughter to hurry up with some cloth and a bucket full of water. "Now, first.. we clean those wounds shall we? Oh poor dear, I am so sorry... I will make it all better" She told the girl sweetly.

[Scottie]

Lifting her gaze to see the woman who the sobs belonged to, was too much effort. She kept her eyes on the grey slate floor and tried her best to hobble along on one arm. The other was curled up towards her chest, it was screaming at her like nothing else. She had barely reached the door when she gave up. Her body slumping back to the ground as everyone rushed around her. She heard pleas and screams but she couldn't focus on them. When the next set of feet entered the room, she was attempting to drag herself along the floor. She didn't want to be here when Stellos returned and the pain she felt throughout her body would be worth it if she didn't receive any more. The floor shook as the man entered and her one good eye dragged up to see him. Fear pierced in her heart and she tried to push herself away from him. She flinched when he touched her and then he picked her up with such ease. She felt like she was floating and she nearly blacked out in his arms.

Words drifted over her but she could not concentrate on them. The man moved so softly when she was in his arms, she could barely tell that he was walking. The bed made her whimper, it wasn't the most comfortable bed and she could feel every bruise on her back. She nodded slowly towards Becky, her one eye trying to focus on her. "I..I just need to sleep..." She said her words dragged out from her cracked lips. Becky nodded violently, "First we need to make sure no infections set in." Melia shook her head gently, "Just sleep." Becky nodded again as a small bowl was pushed into her hands. She pressed a small towel to Melia's forehead and Melia felt pain prickle at her neck. Within seconds, she blacked out.

[Dark Pigeon]

... weeks later...


Days had passed before Melia was put to work in the kitchen along side Benjamin's little family. And she had been doing so for a couple of weeks now. Not only has she met Goat, who was their daughter, but Thomas the one year old boy as well. Becky was mighty proud to show off the little blond child, with big brown eyes and grabby little hands. Melia learned that Becky was a very caring woman, one that would make so very sure that Melia felt that she was not entirely alone. She would meet the other staff, many of them who stayed away from her as they had learned that she healed.. fast, to fast for them to trust. But.. work needed to be done, and nobody... truly nobody.. lived in this castle, nor worked here for free. Even Melia had to do something, at least until it was clear what their king wanted with her, that part was pretty unclear.

Speaking of which; their beloved king had been pretty absent. He was rarely seen in his throne room where he would drape himself over his throne. He was late, if even truly there with the many war meetings. He hardly ate his dinner, he hardly slept in his room. And for the first time in well.. years, their was just a little bit less of screaming and agony in the castle. Hell, things started to look better, maybe not having them as their king.. was a good thing after all. Did not mean though that everyone felt happy and content. Vermin, boy was he anxious! Now, he knew where Salvador was, he did not tell a freaking soul though, but the longer Salvador was hiding .. somewhere.. the more nervous the small imp got. He knew that matters would get just.. hellish when Salvador got back into his fighting mode, when he would be screaming for vengeance, for death, for others to be in fucking agony! He rarely met with Melia, and if he did his answers would be short, almost as short as his visits with the girl.

Stellos though, god he loved it! As the right hand man, he got to make decisions. And he would make his king proud! More taxes! More hangings! Less food for the prisoners, and more food for himself... that, and village girls and expansive prostitutes. He was doing about everything to make sure that if his beloved king came back, he would be beaming with pride! Giving Stellos everything he wanted, and lord.. so much more at that! Luckily for Melia, he stayed away from her, nor would he call her over. He did not care, he did not even know if the girl was still alive or not, and well.. if she was, and Salvador did not want her any longer.. he knew what to do with her.

Benjamin, now... he kept being stoic towards her. His trust certainly had not grown towards Melia as her wounds healed unnaturally fast. His trust was so little, that he did not even let her help him with any of the cooking, and gave her the task to clean the dishes. Not even the royal ones, just that of the servants and the likes. As long as she kept far away from him, did not talk or look at him he seemed content. But every single time she did try to get to know the large cook, she was met with his... colorful use of language.. boy could that man curse! Becky had assured Melia though, that the large cook truly had his heart on the right place. But after loosing friend after friend, servant after servant.. and his oldest son... he just did not care about making friends, fearing that he would loose them all over again.

[Scottie]

... weeks later...


Bruises quickly faded. All cuts were gone within hours. Bones remained broken for the first few days but after many tears and a lot of concentration they slowly mended themselves. Her fingers were successfully mended but her wrist was painful. Melia looked the very same she did when she first arrived. But her soul was broken. Smiles did not have the same warmth they first had. Her voice slowly grew quieter as she decided her opinions were best kept in her head. She made friends quickly, her smile only appearing in their company. Becky was a quick favourite, her heart bigger than anyone Melia had ever met. Her routine quickly changed, rather than helping her mother with her sister, it was cleaning an entire castle. There were still rooms and areas she was kept away from. But she grew familiar with the layout of the restricted areas she was kept to.

The screams left the castle. Or so Melia had been told. She had noticed a subtle warmth had entered the halls and lights seemed yellow instead of a cold white. She rarely saw the man that kept her here. He was like a ghost and Melia cared little whether she saw him or not. Except when he appeared in her dreams. His eyes haunted her every night, she wanted to see them again but when she awoke the thought of seeing him repelled her. Though nothing could compare to the disgust and fear she felt towards Stellos. The man was easily avoided, Becky informed her of where to hide and how to remain unseen. So Melia preferred to remain in the kitchen, helping out as much as she could. Benjamin seemed to tolerate her at most. She did not mind that, she was a threat to his family. She could topple this whole happy family if she angered the man on the wrong day.

There was a room. Its door was a fading blue. She passed it nearly everyday with Goat and Becky. She hesitated every time and they tugged her along every day. They did not trust Stellos or any other who might see her staring. One fateful morning, she awoke to find Goat's bed empty. She groggily pushed herself up to sitting in her bed and pressed a hand to her head. She flinched as her bad wrist clicked in the wrong place. It was as she was surveying the damage that she remembered today for some strange reason Goat was to be in the kitchen earlier than her. Melia had waved off the curiosity last night. Tugging her clothing on took longer than expected. It was strange not having the young girl bleating at her to hurry up. With all her clothing fastened in place, she left their small room. She had just now got into a routine of waking with the others. Her body seemed to think every moment was night for no sunlight broke through the walls of the castle. Her feet were light on the dark floor as she made her way towards the kitchen. She was stopped in her steps by that door. She needed to look in. She had to check. She didn't know what but she had to check. Her fingers hovered over the door handle as she stood there staring at the peeling paint. Her hand didn't make contact with the handle until she heard marching footsteps from afar.

It was like a vice around her throat. Fear flooded through every part of her body. If Stellos caught her like this....who knows what he would do to her. It was instinct. She gripped the door handle and opened the door. Quickly slipping through the door and clicking the door behind her. The footsteps died out and she turned towards the room. It was different. She didn't know how but it was different. Light floated down into the room from a far up sky light. Dust floated around the room in small waves and it looked untouched. She took a small step forward, her hands wringing as something didn't feel right. Another small step and she let her eyes flick over the room. She had barely enough time to drink in the colour of the room when another set of footsteps sounded behind her. Panic took root in her lungs again and she frantically looked around her. Spotting an old white wardrobe big enough to fit her entire family, she rushed to it and yanked the door open. Pulling it closed just far enough that she could keep an eye on the door. The footsteps continued and she pressed a hand over her mouth to stop her loud breathing. All she could do was wait and see if the owner of the footsteps decided to entire the room.

[Dark Pigeon]

That room, together with a few others were off limits to anyone that got even close to the castle. Even thinking about entering them would get you killed, there was no mercy for those who wanted to see what sat behind those doors. These rooms were holy, even more than that! They were these secret placed where Salvador felt like he could be more himself, but most of all.. it reminded him why he was doing all of this, why he was waging a war against the rest of the world.. or so it felt. As he entered the room with the soft blue door, the door that was slowly loosing all its paint. He did not want it repainted, he did not want anything to change about it as it had to remain exactly like it was left behind. He closed the door behind him, the staff slowly following him around as he walked to the center of the room "Eliminate" he said softly, his voice sounding different.. less cold, not as full of hate and anger as the room around him became filled with this warm light that revealed the room.

A children room, one fitted for a little prince. The walls were decorated with such beautiful wall paintings, birds flying through the air, or singing their songs from the many branches, flowers, three's that stood near a river bank, small butterfly's seemed to come to life as the light hit their small wings, and a river that was filled with lovely colorful fish The use of gold leaf, and beautiful natural colors truly made the whole room into one big masterpiece. The one that had painted these walls truly had put a lot of work in it, and even more love. If Melia was to look carefully she could see the small cot and the kind of toys that lay there, that the child could not have been very old. Little blocks to make small towers with, silver bells and rattlers, and anything that a child would find fun to play with, or stick into its mouth. There were books in a small bookcase that stood across the room from where Melia was hiding, while Salvador slowly moved over to the chair that stood near the small cot. By the sight of the room, there had not been a soul in here for a very long time. Most of it sat beneath a layer of dust. The toys had not left their spots for years. Only the heavy leather chair near the cot seemed to have been used recently. Salvador carefully walked towards the heavy looking chair, he did not even move the dust that laid under his feet.

He walked up to the bookcase and took out one single, but very heavy looking book. He had been taking this out for a few days now. It, together with the heavy chair was the only thing that was being used. He sat down in the chair that was facing towards the large closet that Melia had picked out to hide in. One single sound, one wrong move.. and he would know that she was in here.. that she was to see him in this state.

He looked different, his eyes did not seem cold and full of hate but tired.. the kind of tired that one would feel in its very soul. His hands were shaking as he opened the book. He looked almost grey, all color had left his skin as he stared into the book while he was flipping the pages until he found the page he needed. "Today I will read you from your favorite book" He said, softly.. his voice gentle as he looked over at the cot. He frowned, he had forgotten something and let out a heavy sigh. She could not hear what he said, it was a spell, one that brought the room back to live. The dust disappeared, the musty smell in the room left and made way for that of soap, flowers, the scent of spring. As Melia would look over to the cot, she could see that the blankets had raised, and that it seemed as if something was moving inside of it... even though there was absolutely nothing there.

A small cooing sound, followed by a sweet little laugh from a child as the blanket in the cot moved and started to lift itself up against the side of the Cot. She could see the shape if a child in it, yet.. nothing was there. "You little monkey" Salvador said with a little smile spread over his face as he looked back into the book. "The story of the boy an the fox" Salvador said, who then slowly started to read the entire story for the small animated .. thing.. that sat in the cot.

It took him about 15 minutes, he did voices, he made grand gestures and turned pages and showed the animated blanket the colorful pictures in the book. As Salvador finished the story he slowly closed the book and took in a heavy sigh before looking at the animated blanket. He knew that there was nothing there, and as he looked at that damn blanket lying down in the cot, pretending that there was a small child sleeping peacefully underneath it, Salvador stopped the entire illusion.. to find himself back between the dust and eternal silence of the room. He sat there for another few hours, the book closed on his lap as he did not move. He seemed broken, as if he was ready to jump of the highest tower that the castle had and end it all. This was not the man she knew to be her king, this was not the man she had met in the throne room, or the man she had dinner with. Finally, he placed the book back into the bookcase and left the room. The staff following him after it had brought the room back into the darkness that Melia had entered it in. The door closed, as Salvador was truly gone.. but was not locked.

[Scottie]

Every footstep thumped against her heart and her hand clamped over her mouth started to tense up. Her whole body felt on fire when Salvador entered the room. She had never heard him speak so gently and she slowly lowered her hand from her mouth. Light entered the room and she could truly see the room. It was a beautiful shade of baby blue, there were wall paintings of birds and flowers. She was entranced by the paintings, by the entire room. The toys that lay by the cot were for a young baby. A rattle, little blocks and a teddy bear. She kept her mouth tight shut to stop her breathing as she watched him. He was going to read...in here. It didn't seem like a study or a library. What was he doing? His hands were shaking and her eyebrows shot up as he spoke to nobody. A prickle of heat danced over her neck but she kept herself perfectly still. Perhaps it was the light that entered the room, the smell of fresh baby soap or the small movement of a child but she had to clamp her hand over mouth to stop herself from crying out.

The pain in her body seemed to reach new peaks. Screaming at her to see it. Whatever was in the cot. The first of many tears trickled down her cheeks when the baby cooed at Salvador. She bit at her lower lip to stop herself from sobbing. This felt so very familiar. But she was in the wrong place. She was normally elsewhere. She didn't see this from this point of view. Tears continued to dribble down her cheeks as she stared at the sleeping child. Cold pin prickled over her neck and she knew that she had been here before. She had seen that child when it was still there. She had probably been in this room in her old life many a time. Maybe she was a nurse or something. Maybe she had held that baby in her arms and fed him before passing him to her mother. Her free hand clenched into a fist as he stopped the illusion and darkness came back. The child was gone. Why did that effect her so much? Why did her tears grow stronger, why did she nearly bend in two at the thought of that illusion not happening again.


A blinding amount of pain shot through her neck. She felt like she was made of clouds. Her mind was light and her body was filled with pain. She let out the first soft whimper as her fingers left her mouth. Her vision blurred in and out as another small noise left her lips. The smell of soap, the sound of him cooing, the toys, the cot, the light streaming in, the birds on the walls and then it was gone. It went too fast for her and her body was screaming at her. How dare she let that leave. It wanted her to know something but she was not figuring it out. Her hand subconsciously pressed over her stomach and felt another piercing flash of pain. Her forehead nudged the closet door open and she dropped to her knees on the dusty wooden floor. Barely having a chance to register the noise her appearance made before her body hit the ground. She drowsily opened her eyes and noticed a faded brown bear sitting by the bottom leg of the cot. A golden T was hand stitched on its chest. It felt like someone had rammed a hot poker under her neck and her mind gave up. Dust raised up around her as she blacked out.

[Dark Pigeon]

With everything that needed to be done in and around the kitchen, it was clear to everyone rather fast that Melia had gone missing. Becky and Goat had been looking around frantically, fearing that the girl had run off or something. Or worse, she had ran into Stellos or one of his men. If this had been the case, they weren't even sure that they could even safe the girl. Stellos was well known for the way he treated women, and he occasionally ordered his men to do the same. Rape wasn't something any of the men shy'd away from, though there were those few that would never treat a woman badly, but even them you did not want to run into. Becky truly was worried sick, she speed walked through the castle, her eyes franticly searching for the girl that had gone missing. If she had to tell, tell anyone that the girl was gone. She knew that not only her family, but Becky's own would be in danger. For these reasons she had not yet told Benjamin anything, and she staid away from her husband as well as she could

Benjamin, well.. he was pissed beyond believe. Melia had brought his family in danger, and there was no forgiveness for it.. never. With his oldest dead together, his daughter bleating like a goat, his wife being to good for this world, and him being a father of a one year old.. he was worried, and it showed. Neither Goat nor his new wife or his young son should be in any danger because of some damn strange girl. He knew that Becky was hiding away from him, looking around the castle for Melia. Goat had come into the kitchen around the time he was cooking some soup for the household staff. The girl looked positively defeated and fearful that her ass was on the line, again. She walked up to her father and carefully wrapped her arms around the larger than life man. Maybe he had been right, again.. she hated it that he was.. but she should have known. "Its okay, we will be alright petal" He said softly to his daughter as he ran his hand through her thick blond curls. She nodded as she had her face buried against his chest as she listened to his steady heartbeat. To her it always had sounded like war drums, that big fighting hear that was hidden in the body of an angry looking chef.

Becky tried it for a last time, and though she knew that it was useless to look in that particular hallway.. she would do so none the less. You never knew if she had gotten lost, maybe open a door that she should not open. Even though Becky, and everyone else had warned Melia for particular hallways, the few doors that she should stay away from. She headed into that hallway she feared more then anything, carefully placing one foot before the other as she headed down into it. Her heart was beating firmly against her chest, if she would find Melia here.. and anyone was to see them... their lives may end this very day.

[Scottie]

Green. Her dreams were filled with green. Green trees, green grass and green eyes. Deep green piercing eyes. Not filled with hate or anger as she was now used to. But concern, happiness...and maybe even love. She didn't think the man was possible of loving another. Yet love filled every inch of those green eyes...and it was directed at her. It wasn't for another. It wasn't a mistake, she was the person those eyes were fixated on. Warmth filled every fibre of her body and she felt at home. With those eyes on her, she felt invincible. Melia felt like she could rule the world. She could overcome any task with such ease. A new warmth prickled at her neck, it wasn't painful. It was soothing. Green eyes once filled with love slowly turned to sorrowful ones. Tears trickled down pale cheeks before being quickly replaced with anger. Rage beyond belief. A surge of pain hit her skin and her eyes snapped open. Inhaling a mouthful of dust and promptly finding herself in a coughing fit. She pushed herself up to sitting cross legged on the floor and waited until the coughing stopped and she could breathe. She was alone. No Salvador...No child. Another pang of sadness hit her stomach and she pushed herself to standing. Melia slowly made her way over to the cot and peered in. Nothing. No child. No bump in the covers. Nothing.

Tears welled in her eyes again and she let her fingers drift through the emptiness as it had seemed so real moments ago. She took a small step back and let a tear dribble down her cheek. She didn't know why she knew this place, why she knew where each toy should go and how the bedding should be put on. The tears on her face continued to roll down her cheeks until they hit the dusty floor at her feet. Melia let her eyes drag over the room and realised that she shouldn't be in here. Picking her skirts up, she rushed to the door. Her hand was on the handle and she was ready to leave. But she couldn't leave until she had one glance back. The emptiness of the room reminded her of a crypt. Of a grave long forgotten where spiders and rats ruled. A new set of tears trickled down her cheeks and she opened the door, leaving the room that felt so familiar. She rested her back against the door and held her head in her hands. Sobbing gently while no one roamed the corridors. She heard soft footsteps and dragged her eyes up to settle on Becky. Melia sniffed loudly and made her way over to the woman. "I'm sorry..I know I am late." She took the womans arm to tug her away from the corridor. "I blacked out again." She said with a small sad smile unable to stop the tears that were dribbling down to collect under her chin.

[Dark Pigeon]

Oh the shock in Becky's face, this girl should not be here! Only a few were allowed to clean these hallways, and she certainly was not one of them. "you foolish girl! What are you doing here, I told you can not go here. Oh Petal.. why, why have you cried.. come, lets leave this place before anyone sees us" the older woman said as she was tugged out of the corridor by Melia. They made fast work of it, leaving the corridor before Becky took the lead and tugged Melia into a safe corner where they could talk. They should get their story straight, but most of all.. Becky needed to know why Melia had been in THAT room! She better not be lying either.. she was covered in dust, and Becky knew where that was coming from.. that woman was not a fool!

"Now.. tell me dear one. What have you done" She asked, her eye full of worries as she started to swat the dust of Melia her dress. "You have been in one of those forbidden rooms haven't you, have I not been clear? Sweetheart.. if anyone had seen you there.. I.. I do not even want to think of that. Nobody did! Nobody needs to know. Right.. Not even Sweet old Benjamin, if he hears this.. Oh lord, I don't even want to think of that.. neither do you!.. now.. Tell me dear... what have you done, what happened? Why have you been gone for such a long time. It had been hours dear, lord.. we have been looking around for you! Thinking you left the castle, thinking you escaped and left us behind. But Becky knows, you are not that kind of girl, you are a good girl now aren't ya?" She said while dusting away. As her dress was cleaned up she took the poor girls face between her hands and gently squeezed her cheeks. "Come, tell me everything.. You must have a lot of questions.. and I can answer them all"

[Scottie]

Her heart was in her throat and she felt like she was about to get into trouble. Her tears turning into big sobs with snotty tears. She continued to tug Becky out of the corridor and she eventually let the woman lead her out and pull her into a corner. She sniffled and tried to stop crying but she couldn't. She could have gotten them all killed. She nodded when Becky asked if she had been in one of the forbidden rooms. She opened her mouth to speak but Becky kept speaking. Hours...She didn't realise it had been hours. She hiccuped gently when Becky took her face in her hands. "W...Who was the baby?" She said her words weak as she continued to gently cry. "The baby's room...I..I used to go in there...I know it..He said. Soul,..I ...He said that souls remember..I remember...I remember the baby..." She hiccuped again and tears continued to dribble down onto her chest. "I tried...I...I couldn't...I hid in the closet...He came in..S..s.Salvador came in..He made the room feel right...He put the baby back...He made the baby come back."

She let another breath tear through her and continued. "I..I could feel it..Heere...." She said tugging Becky's hand to her neck. Letting her feel the raised scar. "I could feel the sadness she felt....I watched him...H...He left....I...I fell...M....There was a teddy...M.....i...I can't remember." Tears were mixed with harsh breaths and she felt close to hysterics. "W...What happened in this castle? Who was meant to be there....Who am I Becky...Who was I...What...i..I...I don't know..I..I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to." Her bottom lip wobbled and she took a hold of Becky's apron. An old nervous habit of hers from when she was a child, holding her mothers apron to keep her calm. "I want to go home." She said pitifully as her tears slowly stopped and she was left sniffling in the corridor, a mess compared to the girl who first arrived here.

[Dark Pigeon]

"O dearest me" Becky said as she brushed her fingers through Melia's hair. Not only had she been in a forbidden room. But Melia had gone crazy as well. How to explain this to her husband, he would have one of those fits again.. and Becky ended up defending the girl in a major fight that would break out between her and Benjamin. he did not like the girl, he did not trust her.. this was all he needed to keep her far away from the kitchen. Make her take care of the pigs or something... as long as it was far, far away from Becky, Thomas, and Goat. Becky did not want that, she liked everyone! and as long as they were the age that they 'could' be her child.. dear lord, she felt like their mother right away. And thus she felt very protective over Melia, who she knew just needed some people around her. Poor kid was without her parents, that.. well.. that just made Becky cry herself at sleep at night.

Becky knew that nobody went in those rooms, not even their king. To hear that he had, well.. that was a shock to Becky. Especially because Melia had been there as well. If he had found her, she would have been dead by now, of that Becky was sure. A baby room, she had not known this and she was slightly surprised that it was still here. "Now, calm down sweetie. All will be right, you are safe now. He has not seen you.. that is wat matters most now." she gently said to Melia, she tutted gently to her as she was trying to calm down the frantic girl. She gently took the girl into a motherly hug and gently rubbed her back. They were alone in the corridor, and would be alone for the next couple of minutes, time enough for Melia to calm down and for Becky to take her back to the kitchen.. or better say.. to Melia's room. Because what came next, was utterly confusing.

Becky did not understand a word from what Melia was telling her about. A baby Melia that remembered, the room being warm, something about a soul or something, someone leaving and a teddy bear. She wanted to know what had happened in this castle, who she was.. Did she not know she was Melia anymore? It made absolutely no sense, and Becky could only think that the girl had been hitting her head to hard on something. . "you.. I think you have hit your head pretty hard dove.. you are making no sense at all. Come, you need to lay down and have some milk of the poppy. Come, come on..." She said gently, though she sounded and looked so very worried about the girls well being.

[Scottie]

Her lower lip continued to wobble as the woman brushed her fingers through her hair. She calmed down a little, feeling safe in their little corner. She nodded rather violently, he had not seen her. Becky knew that as well, for the castle would be on fire if he had. Melia buried her face in Beckys shoulder and let her body shake from another big sob. She just wanted to be home, to be with her parents and her sister. She wanted to be safe where ever she stood rather than in small spaces. Confusion flooded over the womans face and Melia felt small. Like Becky was already starting to doubt her. Melia let her eyes trail over the womans face. She had trusted this older woman too easily, should she keep herself more guarded.

Melia nodded softly, already starting to doubt herself. Did she feel that truly....or did she make it up? Was it just everything hitting her at once? She took the womans hand and let her lead her down another corridor. "I....I'll be okay." She said softly but Becky was not for stopping. She glanced around corners before leading Melia into her small room. "I think I got m..mixed up." She said softly, letting Becky potter around her room. "I..I wont go back.. I promise." Melia sat down on the bed and curled her legs tight into her chest. She fixed her eyes on the ground as Becky kept rummaging. "I can do the night round tonight, to make up for it." Her words almost muffled from how tightly she was holding her legs.

[Dark Pigeon]

"Oh now dear, that is not necessary. No need for you to do the nightshift to make up for something you did not do wrong. You just opened the wrong door, we all do that at times." Becky said as she sat down on the side of the bed. This poor girl was so confused, scared, she truly felt so very sorry for Melia. Poor girl should not be here, she should be with her family, and not in this horrible castle were most steered clear from her. "you.. havent been truly mixing things dear." Becky said, her eyes trailing the soft curls around Melia's face. "I mean, I don't know what or how.. and most of it sounds like magic to me.. which I know nothing about dear. But... " She took in a deep sigh and got of the bed to make sure that nobody was listening in. She closed the door as she was certain that nobody would come in to sneak about.. or to hear what was forbidden to talk about.

"You must know your version of the story, I.. am not sure what most villagers know about what has happened here. But.. well... see. My grandmother worked here, and her mother before her. A long line of Becky's I can tell you that. So, I know the story's of how it used to be here.. before.. before it all turned dark. There used to be a blue sky, and green grass. Big fat cows grazing the lands. People were not dying of hunger, not oppressed by their king who as a fair and good man. Now.. From what I heard, our king.. he used to be as fair as his father was. But something happened, something that has filled his very soul with the darkness that you see when you look at that.. horrid man. " Becky heard some noise and held her breath. If she was found telling these stories again she would surely end up on the chopping block.

She only started talking again when the footsteps were gone around the corner. "Don't you tell a soul what I am to tell you. It will surely end up with us both hanging at the gallows. You promise me to keep silent about it" She asked, her eyes fixated on the girl until she nodded. "I knew I could relay on you.. such a lovely girl. Well.. He used to have a queen, and with her they had a little boy. From what I heard a toddler that would fill the castle with its laughs and torment the servants that worked here then. Now. My grandmother, she told me that her mother told her.. that our king, he was kind, and handsome.. Not Lord of Light handsome..." her cheeks blushed as she nudged Melia, a small joke surely would not hurt anyone. Now.. He ... our king, he says that he wasn't the one.. but that the lord of light.. I mean.. come, who's to believe that.. but that he killed his son, and his wife out of spite.. Not sure what or how. But ever since the queen and their son has died.. this kingdom has spiraled into what it is now.. and our King has become this dark creature we know him to be now"

Other footsteps, this time heavy. Both women knew these, and the horrible natured man that was the owner of them. Becky called him her sweet husband though, Melia.. Becky wasn't sure what she would call the large angry cook. As the footsteps had left Becky let out a big sigh of relieve.

[Scottie]

Melia shook her head rather violently, "No. I missed most of the day. I will take the night shift...and you can spend your night with your husband and children." Melia said sweetly, not correcting the woman in her thoughts that Melia had entered by accident. She felt her head throb when Becky told her she hadn't been making things up. She was struggling to understand, to figure out what was real and what wasn't. The way the woman frantically moved around the room. Trying to shut out any squeak that could float from her room. Melia was feeling more and more uncomfortable when the woman came up close and nearly sat atop her. Her forehead furrowed in confusion at "the story". Her face softened at talks about blue skies and green grass. She knew about that, family had told her about it for years. Hope was all they had in this world. Fear caught her as it did Becky when she heard footsteps. If someone came in...heard what they were saying then their lives could be snuffed out in seconds. She only relaxed when Becky started talking again.

She only started talking again when the footsteps were gone around the corner. "I won't tell anyone. I promise." Melia nodded violently, not wanting anyone to hang from the gallows. She had grown to love the people she worked with. For the little that they had, they still shared it. It was a kindness that she thought was dead. Her mouth hung open gently, "A queen?" She whispered and Becky nodded. She didn't think that right. That couldn't happen. Who could love such a monster and be loved in return?? And a little boy. She knew it was a boy. Sorrow filled her eyes and she felt like she would cry again. Sadness pricked in heat across her neck. She forced a small attempt for a smile on her lips when Becky nudged her. Melia wouldn't reveal that she hated that Lord of Light. It was another one of those "feelings" she had. She never aired those views, for everyone in the village adored him and knew one day he would come to their aid. Her smile dropped and shock flooded her features. "He killed them?" Another whisper as she couldn't believe it...or could she. Heat flooded through her body and her forehead creased gently.

"I...I think I need to rest Becky. I..I don't know what I saw...What I felt...But I will do your night shift tonight. I promise it. I must make it up to you for coming to get me." Melia leaned over and pulled the woman into a tight hug. She wanted nothing but the best for this woman, she wanted her to be filled with light at every moment. Melia scrunched her eyes shut and just concentrated on that light. Subconsciously, she flooded her powers through the woman pin pointing on a problem and fixing it with ease. Melia pulled back from the woman and gave her a beaming smile. "Please let me do this for you and your family. I will take the occasional night shift to help. You need to spend time with them." Melia kept her hands on the womans shoulders until she nodded.

[Dark Pigeon]

Becky could just cry right there and then, ow sweet this girl was for wanting her to spend her night with her husband and child. She leaned into the hug and smiled as she rubbed the poor girls back. "Oh you are such a sweet young woman. Gods bless you dear, gods bless you" Becky rubbed some tears from her own eyes and smiled down at Melia. "Okay, so.. when Benjamin asks.. this is what happened okay. You were sleeping under you bed, you were tired and went to your room. We could not find you because we never looked underneath it. You did not feel well, I got cross with you, and now you work the nightshift to make it up with us." Becky said, knowing fully well that Goat would not tell a soul.. but it was safe to tell nobody about this. "This is our little secret" She said as she patted the girl on her shoulder.

Becky did not even notice, but as she got of the bed, her back wasn't hurting as it normally did. "Okay. You take a few of the nightshifts. It has been a while that we been together as a family, but.. promise me. Join us for a game or two. We could use a fourth player when we are playing cards. " Becky asked, who had noticed that Melia did not dare to join them, most because of Benjamin. "let me handle my husband. For now, take some rest. We will have dinner in a hour or two, I will have goat come and get you" Becky told her as she opened the door towards the hallway. "All will be well dear, all will be well"

... A few hours later ...

Goat knocked on the door, and only peeked her head around the corner as Melia called that she could enter. The girl looked a little surprised, and checked under the bed to see if there was any hints if Melia had been lying there. She swore she checked the room well enough, but wasn't so sure that she had looked under the bed. Her father had just finished his hourly cursing spree.. his anger over Melia had grown now that the girl had been sleeping on the job! Becky had let him, better out then in she would say! She made a gesture that looked like she was putting in her mouth, after which she gestured for Melia to come and follow her.

Benjamin waited for them in the kitchen, most of the staff had already sat down to eat and the rest would soon come in and follow their example so hat the rest could go back to work. The man did not look happy to see Melia there, but he had promised his wife that he would not say a word about what had happened.. not with all the other members of staff there. He placed two bowls of soup down, and gestured for the girls to take their place.

[Scottie]

Melia listened intently to the proposed lie and nodded as she chewed at her bottom lip. She didn't really want to lie to the large man for she feared the anger she would receive if he found it out to be a lie. "Okay...I...I can do that." She whispered to the woman as she lost herself in her thoughts. She had frequently hidden under the bed in her youth. Something about it made her feel safe. It was strange but it was a place of safety away from anger and sadness. "Okay...Okay..." Melia whispered again and let her eyes raise up to the woman when she patted her shoulder. "I will. I am an old hand at cards so you better beware." Melia pulled a small cheeky smile onto her lips and watched Becky move towards the door. She was glad that the woman had said she would deal with her husband. The man did not strike her as someone who would harm her...unless she put his family in danger and in this world, anything she did wrong could do that to them. She nodded again and tried to believe the woman. When the door gently closed, Melia flopped back onto the bed. Staring at her ceiling.

A good hour passed over her as she stared at the ceiling. Tracing the fading patterns with her eyes as her mind tried to piece everything together. He had killed his wife and child. It didn't sit right with her. Something was missing from the puzzle and she couldn't figure out what. But she didn't want to annoy Becky with it. It was something that would just have to remain a puzzle. When her eyes did eventually close, her dreams were plagued with green eyes, a song box and blue walls. Everything seemed to spin around her mind making her feel nauseous and feverish all in one. It took a while but she settled in a place of comfort and let green rock her to sleep.

The first knock went unanswered. But the second awoke her. "C...Come in..." She mumbled as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes. Melia pushed herself up to sitting on cross legged as Goat entered the room. "Hello.." Melia murmured again as she set her eyes on Goat. She gave the woman a small smile. "Sorry about earlier..." She trailed off before going any further. Melia pushed herself to standing and fixed her hair before letting Goat lead the way. She fixed the apron around her waist as they passed by corridors in silence. Melia set a small glance down the forbidden corridor and felt her heart sting at the sight of the door she had gone through earlier. A few moments later and they were in the kitchen. As soon as she caught Benjamins eye, she dropped her gaze. He was not growling at her, but the annoyance was clear in his eyes. She shuffled onto a bench and murmured a soft thank you as he placed a bowl of soup before her.

She waited for Goat to sit and start eating before she followed suit. The food was glorious in comparison to what she was used to. It was full of vegetables to keep the staff full for longer. Potatoes were no longer a thing in her part of the village. Nothing grew there and when times were tough, every night you went to bed hungry. Here was better...surprisingly. She was fed and had a warmish bed, much better than anything she had experienced before. Melia continued to eat in silence, it was difficult to maintain a conversation with Goat. So the soft scrape of her spoon against the bottom of the bowl was her only real company this meal.

[Dark Pigeon]

... night shift...

Benjamin had not said a single word to Melia, everything that needed to be said, was said by Becky. That the man was angry with her was clear, and his silence could be seen as something that as much worse than his ongoing cursing. Melia had done the dishes and helped with cleaning the kitchen. Becky had done her best to get Melia on Benjamin's better side, but it all seemed to just not work. But even though he was angry with her, he had left some of the apple pie for her that was destined for their king, but seeing that he had hardly ate anything, his leftovers were shared. No cream though, that she did not deserve. There were only a handful of people awake in the castle. Some guards that kept the castle safe, a few servants together with Melia to be ready to do whatever was needed to be done. Some other guards were still heavily drinking, poor servants that were to attend to them had only showed themselves in the kitchen as more food or drink was needed.

The kitchen is were Melia had to be, and if asked she would help to serve the Guards and Stellos his other men. But for now, she was allowed to stay away from them as much as possible, just long enough for Stellos to find him another girl to torment. Until then, it was Melia her task to scrub some pots and pans that needed a good scrubbing.. truly one of the most hated task for any of the people working here. The evening was quite tame that day, hardly anything happened and Melia seemed to be able to spend her entire night scrubbing away, hopefully making Benjamin happy as he saw all those pots and pans shining.

A deafening roar, the entire castle seemed to shake. Pots started to fall, glass shattered and the drunk signing of the drunken guards had stopped. The entire building flooded itself in such a thick cloud of darkness that one could not see his own hands before their faces. A second roar, this time the vibrating air made your ears nearly pop. Guards jumped on their feet, and speeded into the corridor where they found their sire engulfed by green flames, his eyes like two burning fires in his skull as black smoke dripped from them. His hand around his staff, the very thing seemed to be incased in green flames that lit up the entire corridor. They all went out of the mans way as he walked through the corridor, the very ground shaking with every step he made. "WHO HAS DARED TO ENTER!!" He roared "WHO WAS IT!" He grabbed the nearest guard, the poor man was stuttering as he tried to explain that it wasn't him, and that he did not know. A painful cry was heard, the man moved spastically, his skin turning grey and old in rapid speed as Salvador took his very life-force from him. "Find me the person who entered the room with the blue door, search this entire fucking castle! If it has not been found, I will kill every single fucking one of you! GO!!! NOW!!"

[Scottie]

His silence seemed to be worse than his swearing. But Becky had told her about three times what she was to do. Melia did not mind being by herself. She did have a few other servants joining her on occasion but she was alone for the first few hours. She hummed to herself as she scrubbed. Determined to get each pan sparkling for the large chef. The song was not one from her youth. It was the same tune that had been floating throughout her mind since she entered that room. She didn't know the words but the tune was now burned into her mind. She started to get used to the quiet, the only company was the soft scrubbing of pans. She didn't mind doing the dishes as it gave herself to keep her mind occupied. She soon realised that she preferred the night shift. No one to disappoint when she failed. Melia was settling into a rhythm when the very water shook. A roar of pure rage pierced through her mind and she scrunched her eyes shut. Her hands curled into fists as she slowly opened her eyes to find darkness floating around her ankles. Another scream and she slowly moved from her spot behind the sink.

The pots and pans shuddered gently in their spots and she knew something was wrong. She dried her hands on her apron and caught the gaze of some of the other servants. They had not heard that scream for a while and already were planning on where to hide. Melia watched them scurry away and was incredibly confused by the situation. Soon, she heard thumping footsteps. Slamming open doors and she could hear muffled shouts. She moved from the kitchen slowly and peered around a door. Watching a young man who had been peeling potatoes earlier get slammed against a wall. A guard had his arm pinned behind him. "Did you go into the forbidden corridor?" Melia felt her heart reach her throat and she froze as she watched the man shake his head violently. "No Sir..I spent all day in the kitchen." Only with another stern look did the guard slam the boy back into the wall and let go of him. She watched the guard stomp down to the next room. A soft cry reached her ears and she recognised it instantly. Scrubbing brush still in hand, she sprinted out of the kitchen. Heading down one corridor and then another to see Benjamin pressed against a wall. The large man had two men holding him against the stone wall while another guard had an arm over Becky's neck.

Melia felt her heart thump in her throat as Becky cried. "Please don't hurt him." The guard sneered at the older woman. "I asked you a fucking question and you didn't answer." Becky reached out her hand for her husband as the guard asked her again. "Did you go in that forbidden corridor?" Becky's hand was harshly snatched back and Melia flinched when another cry of pain left the womans lips. Benjamin struggled against the men and Melia heard her voice before she realised it was hers. "OI ARSEHOLE." Her voice echoed down the corridor, clear as a bell. One guard turned towards Melia and glared at her. "I went in that forbidden corridor. It was me." The guard holding Becky let go of the woman and she slumped to the ground. Benjamin was only let go when the other guards felt safe enough. Melia clenched her hand around the scrubbing brush as a guard came towards her. He stopped just shy and looked just behind her. Melia didn't get a chance to turn before someone grabbed a handful of her hair. Yanking her backwards until her feet gave way beneath her. "I knew you would do something like this you rat." Stellos dragged the screaming girl along the corridor towards Salvador. Melia couldn't even fight back, all she could do was try to stand up so that it wouldn't hurt as much.

[Dark Pigeon]

Becky wanted to cry out that the girl was lying, that she just wanted to help her and Benjamin. She was a fool, just a child, she did not know what it all meant. But as soon as she had uttered just one word she was harshly kicked to the ground. Benjamin, the normally powerful looking man did everything to keep those guards happy. He knew that they feared him, but he also knew how easily they could make his life true hell. All he did was to keep his wife, and his children safe.. and now, because of Melia his wife laid bleeding on the floor as a guard kicked her a few times more, just to get his message across.

Stellos was feeling so very content with himself. He had found the one that had gone into the forbidden corridor, he had found the little bitch and he was to bring her to his king. His guards sprinted to the sides as he dragged Melia over the floor. Every single time she was able to get her feet under her body, he kicked her down again. She would not be walking, no.. this little girl was to be dragged and tossed before the mighty angry king that was now in his throne room. Salvador had thought that this would take a while, and with every passing second his anger only grew. Someone had entered the room, they had misplaced dust and opened the door to his childs gardrobe. He had seen how some of the clothing was misplaced, how some of it had been moved even just half a inch. Enough for him to rage over, but to know that someone had dared to go into the most sacred of places.. that truly brought the darkness out of him.

"MY KING!" Stellos said happy and loud as he kicked the feet from under Melia ones again. The entire room started to vibrate, the air smelling of sulfur and brimstone as they neared Salvador. "What!" Salvador said, his body and staff still covered in the green flames that lite up the room. "I have found the little bitch, it seems that not only her father is a thief.. but this one, this one truly disrespected you my lord" Stellos said, tossing the girl before Salvador his feet. She skitter over the floor and landed in front of her kings feet. She could feel it through her bones how angry he was. This was not some kind of tantrum, this was not his normal degree of anger.. this was something hardly anyone had ever met before. This was the anger he kept for the Lord of light and for his many loyal men. "Melia" Salvador said, slamming his staff to the floor as he glared down to her. "Your life is to end"

[Scottie]

She couldn't even keep her feet on the floor, for every time she succeed they were kicked out from under her. Her scalp started to burn as she tried to curse at the man. Screaming at him as he tore her down a corridor. Her bum hit the floor again as he pulled her into the room with Salvador. The room tasted of death and she felt herself be thrown across the room. She landed harshly on the ground and her wrist made her whimper with pain. She raised her eyes as she felt anger overwhelming throughout her body. Her eyes met his green ones and she shuffled back from him. She hadn't seen him for weeks now and he looked like anger was a living part of him. 'Your life is to end.' Rage filled her eyes and she slowly pushed herself to her feet. Swallowing back her fear as best as she could. "I..I was the only one to enter that room." Stellos did not leave the room, he wanted to see this girl finally leave the face of this wretched earth. "No one else was there. Just me. I was the only one to enter that corridor."

Her hands fell to her sides and she let out a long loud breath. "I didn't plan on it." Her eyes kept up on his, feeling his anger bounce around her very soul. "It...it was a mistake." She kept her chin raised high. If she was to meet her maker this day, then so be it. But it would not be with her head hanging, it would not be the same way as her past self. She would not meet a cowardly death, she would face this death face on. "I grew foolish and needed to look inside." She could faintly hear the guards slowly rounding everyone back into their rooms. Melia wanted to know if Becky and the others were okay but she knew it was unlikely that she would leave this room....at all.

[Dark Pigeon]

His nostrals flared up as he looked down at her, his hands tightly around the staff that he was holding. He was an observant man, and as she stated that she was the only one, that only she had entered.. he did not fully trust her. He glanced up, his eyes full of hatred and the will to kill everything in sight. "Bring that little family that has taken her in" He said with is voice dark, no longer sounding like his own self.. nor the man she had seen in the forbidden room. Stellos nodded and made his way out of the throne room, oh this was going to be fun! Not only Melia, but that cooks family to! He loved seeing that big man jump through hoops, or how his wife would stutter as soon as Stellos was around. He loved that fear that his master bestowed upon others, but he loved it more when they were afraid of him.

"YOU HAD NO RIGHT!" He screamed at her, he wasn't even able to threaten her with her family, threaten her with the deaths of Benjamin's family. His eyes grew wide, his anger only growing as she dared to stand up, how she met his gaze with her own anger. "Look inside?" He said, his voice low and almost quiet, his anger growing as were the flames that he was engulfed in. As she dared to look at him, he hit her, and hit her hard with the back of his hand. "DON'T YOU DARE LOOKING AT ME!" the room shaking as he screamed at her. If she dared to look at him again he would smack her again. She could hear the screams of Becky and her family in the hallways as they were brought before Salvador. Benjamin looked like a beaten dog, again his family in danger, all because of.. of this girl. Goat was absolutely terrified, Thomas the small child in the arms of Stellos who did not even bother carrying the child the right way. He only held the small childs leg, as it was crying out for his mother. Becky tried to help him, but was thorn away from Stellos and her child as soldiers tossed her to the ground.

"My king, the family that has taken care of the traitor" He said as he held up the small boy that was still dangling upside down. Salvador glared up, and as Melia would look up she could see that his hatred towards her.. was nothing compaired to what he felt as he watched that small child crying loudly as Stellos did not even bother holding it as he should. The normally proud Stellos seemed to realize in that split second that he had done something wrong, his soldiers already jumped away as the staff in Salvador's lite up like a freaking Christmas tree, thick smoke dripping from it as Salvador was almost breathing fire. "M..." He could not even say anything, within a split second the entire room was engulfed in those flames as they rapidly moved over to Stellos. The child floated out of his arm and towards .. sorry Becky.. towards Salvador. Becky screamed in agony as she watched her son, but nothing screamed as loudly, and in such pain as Stellos was. His entire skin started to melt away, his body convulsing.

Within seconds he was death, nothing but a smoky pile of molten meat and bones. Thomas, still crying landed softly in the arms of Salvador who gently tutted at him. His anger, that.. deadly rage had left as soon as he held that small boy in his arms. The flames, the smoke, nothing there.. He conjured a few little specks of light that started to dance around the face of the small boy. As the child started laughing, his little hands trying to grab those small lights. "Guard" Salvador said, his voice.. softer.. "Take the boy away from here.. he does not need to see this" Salvador said. Becky was crying, her face buried against Benjamin who was just cell shocked as he watched the King holding his child. The guard carefully took over the baby, and as he moved away from his king the small specks of light stayed over Thomas who had already forgotten about that bad man that had held him upside down.

Door closed, and back grew those flames as Salvador wasn't yet ready with the people in this room. "Now tell me.. you worthless little bitch. Someone here knew that you were there.. and you are going to tell me who. If you do not, I will make sure that wat happened with Stellos.. is going to happen to your worthless little family"

[Scottie]

"N..No...They had nothing to do with this." Her pleading fell on deaf ears but she continued anyway. "Please. Don't do this to them." She had put them in danger. Not any danger. Pure and real danger of death. She fell to the ground when his hand made contact with her cheek. Pain and heat flared through her cheek and through the back of her neck. She couldn't bring herself to look back at them but she heard their cries. She could feel their fear and their sadness. She could feel Benjamins anger, piercing through her skin. She glanced back to see them and her mouth hung open in shock. The others looked scared but the child...he was being carried like a toy. She snapped her eyes away and flicked her eyes up at Salvador and found a new anger. But it was not directed at her. Instead it was directed at the worm Stellos. She followed his glare and watched in shock as Stellos was engulfed in flames. Her eyes went wide and she shuffled a little away from the fire. The child was removed from Stellos but Melia could not watch the child float to Salvador. All she could watch was the burning mess of Stellos, how he screamed in pain and his body turned into a puddle of liquid.

When the burning stopped, her eyes returned to Salvador to see that softness she had witnessed earlier. Melia flinched violently when another flare of pain passed over her neck. Something about the scene before her was familiar. The little lights, the soft voice and the child laughing....it made her mind spin and she dropped her forehead to the cool ground. Melia couldn't even raise her head when he spoke to her again, she felt sick. Like she could vomit all over his fancy shoes. But she slowly dragged her head up a little. The scent of burning flesh reached her and she placed a hand on the floor to stop herself from emptying her stomach. "No one." She said bluntly. "No one knew. I went there myself and I returned to my room...S.. Becky found me in my bed and gave me...me into trouble...I..." Her free hand moved to hovering over her stomach again. "I didn't tell anyone I was there. I didn't want them to get into trouble. It was my mistake, they shouldn't be punished." Her head still hung over the cool floor and her eyes were scrunched shut. She couldn't get that picture out of her mind. The lights, she knew the lights. She knew that he loved them. That he would fall asleep to them every night. But who did? Her grip on the floor tensed up and her fingers turned into claws.

[Dark Pigeon]

His eyes shot up towards Becky as her name was called out by Melia. Salvador was no fool, and he knew when he was lied to by the girl on the floor before his feet. Becky was shaking all over as she heard her name. She was truly shocked that Melia would call her out so easily. Benjamin's hands were trembling as he knew that his wife was in danger. "I know a lie when I smell one" Salvador said as he looked back at Melia. "That woman can not give anyone trouble, you think me a fool girl? You think that you can lie to me and I will not find out the truth?" His eyes shoot up again, fixating on Becky as the woman tried to hide away behind her husband. "Come here Becky, tell your king the truth now" Salvador said as he snapped his fingers. He gestured to his guards to bring Becky to him. The woman started already whimpering and begging before the guards could even take a hold on her "Tell him the truth" Benjamin whispered under his breath, knowing fully well that Salvador would do everything to find it. Most of the guards still feared Benjamin, the man truly was one scary human being to look at. But he did nothing, he had his head hanging and his hand gently holding that of goat as he let go of his wife. He would not fight, not even say a single word.. everything to keep his family safe.

Becky was dragged over the floor and tossed down on it next to Melia. "Tell me the truth Becky, you do not wish me to punish your little family again now do you?" Salvador said, his smile evil as hell as he looked at her. He would know what had happened, he would get the fucking truth! Becky glanced over to Melia, why had she called out her name.. why? "M.. my k.. king" Becky said, her breathing harsh as her heart was beating firmly against her chest. "Come on Becky, or I give your daughter the body that goes with her voice" Salvador said as he glanced up at Goat, the girl let out a sad little cry and whimpered softly a she crushed up against her father. "TELL ME!!" Salvador roared "Have you not told her that she is not allowed in those parts of the castle! That little fucking BITCH entered the room.. THE ROOM BECKY!!" He lashed out with his staff and hit Becky harshly against her jaw. The woman was tossed against the floor again and let out a painful cry. "You little fat cunt! TELL ME NOW!" Becky spat a few loose teeth on the floor, blood dripped from her mouth as she looked up at her king. "No sir, I told her.. I told her everything." Becky cried, she really did not want to get Melia in trouble. But she had to keep her family safe as well. "Than this girl must be incredibly stupid for not listening. or YOU do not make sure that this little cunt listens" Salvador said as he followed Becky as the woman was crawling away from her sire. "She.. she is a fool sir, a fool." Becky cried out. "Yes, yes! A fool indeed! And you have not kept a very good eye out on her now have you?" Salvador growled at her. Becky kept crawling away, crying as she tried to stay away from her king. "I am so sorry sir, I have.. have failed you" Salvador nodded when Becky said this. He grabbed forward, taking a hand full of Becky's hair as he pulled her closer towards him. "You little whore, if you are not to use your eyes.. you do not need them any longer' Salvador said glaring down at Becky. "No.. please sir.. please dont!" Becky whimpered as Salvador let go of his staff. He took out a small sharp knife and smiled dangerously to Becky.

The next few moments were nothing but bloody and utterly painful to watch. But as Salvador was done, his hands were covered in blood as was Becky's face. Salvador held her eyes in his hands as he slowly walked over to Melia who - if she had been smart - had stayed on her spot as Salvador had punished Becky for he failure. He hovered over her before he leaned down and placed Becky's eyes in front of Melia. "Now tell me Melia.. what truly happened? or do you wish for me to punish the others as well?"

[Scottie]

Her bottom lip started to wobble and she raised her head. "I'm not lying" She stammered back to him. "N..N.No..I...I.." Becky was now under his scrutiny. Melia desperately tried to get his attention back onto her. But Becky was the new target. When she tried to move over to him, a guard moved a step forward. Grabbing the back of her dress and hauling her back to the spot he had put her in. "She didn't do a..a.anything wrong." Her words catching in her throat as Becky was torn to rest beside her. "She did..She told me. She told me." Her pleas fell on deaf ears and the staff hit the womans jaw. Her whole body sighed in on itself and Melia felt the first set of tears tumbling down her cheeks. This woman had helped her. She had made her feel safe, made sure she was fed and protected her. She scrambled to her feet to reach the woman and was harshly brought back again by the guard. She didn't care that the woman was insulting her, she could have called her every name under the sun as long as nothing bad happened to her. She flinched when the man grabbed Becky by the hair. She didn't know what he was doing after but she could hear the screams and the blood. The guard dropped her and she slumped to her feet.

Shock etched on her face as tears continued to dribble down her cheeks. Her stomach lurched again and she dropped her head to the floor. Blood reached her nostrils and she gagged as she tried to stop herself from being sick. She heard him come closer and slowly raised her head. She flinched back violently when the lovely deep brown eyes of Becky hung from his fingertips. Melia slowly raised her eyes up to his and the grey looked like the clouds above their heads. Glistening with tears as she could feel nothing more than pure shame. "I...I...." She sent a glance back to Becky and could hear the woman whimpering from the bloody mess of cloths. She turned her head back before he could comment on it and started to speak. There was no need to hide anything now. "I was on a later shift...I didn't have to get up too early....I could have walked to work and been fine...b...but I know this castle." Her eyes on the floor. "I really know it. I know the turns of the corridors and when an odd door will appear...I know that corridor." Tears slowly pattered to the floor as she stammered over her words. "I know that room. I got that feeling inside my head...that I should look inside it every time I pass...I don't know why." She sniffled loudly and kept her eyes on the ground so that she wasn't forced to see the bloody eyes of Becky.

"So I had to look. I was warned. I was informed of all the rules. But I broke them because I had to know what was there." Her tears were joined by the dropping blood from Becky's eyes. "I could swear I'd been in that room a million times." Melia dragged her eyes up to stare into his, anger twinkling behind the grey. "The third step in...it squeaks. You have to miss it or you'll wake him. I know where every toy goes and how nothing has been moved out of place. I was barely in that room when I heard someone coming, so I hid. I went into the closest and closed the door...For you to walk in." She stopped and let another handful of tears dribble down over her lips. "The room turned the right colour, it smelled right and...there was something in the crib." Her bottom lip wobbled and she took a moment before continuing. "I hid...while you read that story...While the lights....the lights appeared...as he cooed up at you." She raised a hand and harshly wiped away the tears on her cheeks. "I stayed there...my neck was burning like nothing I've felt before. It burned hot...and cold...it made me feel sick and light headed. You...You left...I was alone...I couldn't even walk out of the closest...I fell...and I blacked out." Her shoulders dropped and she swallowed away her tears before continuing. "I woke up hours later..I left and Becky found me as I came back into the main corridors."

Her eyes dragged down to Becky's eyes that hung from his fingers tips before. "W...Why would you do that?" Melia asked, her voice cold and child like. "Why would stop her from seeing her child? She can never see her baby again....she can never see him....you monster. Airna did not raise a god damn monster." Her words filled with bile as she spat them at him. She didn't know that name but she knew it was important. Melia just knew that, she couldn't stop herself from stumbling through her next words. "You of all people should know how that feels." Her hands curled into fists as she glared at him. "To not see him again. To be without him. She can't see her child...is that because you can't see Michael." Her glare stopped and her mouth hung open. She didn't know a Michael. She didn't know anyone with such a name. But she knew it. It tasted like sugar on her tongue and she knew it. Like she had chosen it. "M..Michael...His name was Michael." A new set of tears dribbled down her cheeks as she raised a hand to the back of her neck. It burned like nothing else and her head spun like she had been hit in the head by his staff.

[Dark Pigeon]

His anger growing, his eyes burning right through her as she said that she had ignored all the rules because she had to see that room. Becky was dragged back towards her husband, both in tears as Becky kept crying out in pain. Salvador did not seem to care, all he wished to know now was what Melia was to tell him. He did at first not believe her when she said that she knew it, that she knew the entire castle like the back of her hand. He wanted to smack her over the head with his staff as he grew tired of her many lies. But then things became, well.. interesting. Now, she could know about that floorboard because she had been in that room that day, she could just tell him that she had know about it for so longer. She had this story in her mind, that somehow she belonged here in the castle. Stupid little bitch should learn that Salvador was to decide over that, not her. But she had seen him there, she.. this, miserable, filthy, disgusting, useless girl had seen him at his most venerable state! This truly came as a shock to Salvador, and as this horrid girl kept talking he could not find himself to tell the others to get out of the Throne room. Everyone was listening, and everyone got more and more confused. Only Salvador seemed to understand, even only a little what was going on. She had all his attention, how did she know that the child was a he? It could have been a lucky guess, but then again. He did not really believe in coincidence. Her neck burning, he had to dig into his memorie, but she had told him about that before. He had explained what it was, that it was her soul trying to make her understand that a certain situation was important.

He frowned, she did not get to tell him that he was not allowed to do anything. If he wanted to take Becky's eyes he could. If he wanted to take her life there was nobody in the world that could stop him! But what came next thoroughly shocked him like nothing else in this world could. That name, Airna, his mothers name. She had not raised a monster. Melia told him that she had not raised a monster. His breathing stopped, his eyes grew wide as he found his brain twist and turn to understand it all. He wanted to tell her to keep her mouth shut, but then.. Michael.

As soon as he heard that name, he nearly tumbled over. The mighty king, that monster parents told their children about to make them behave. Michael, he could see those big blue eyes staring up at him, that soft red hair that curled over its little round head. How he always smiled when he saw him, when he saw his father Salvador. The lights, he always conjured those lights so that the boy would never be alone in the night. 3, one was dad, one was mom, and the third little light.. that was Michael himself. "Everyone out..." his voice sounded soft, broken.. riddled with fear as he looked at Melia. "OUT!" he roared, his staff slammed into the ground. As a guard wanted to bring Melia with him, Salvador stopped the man. "Not her.. she stays" Salvador said, waiting for everyone to leave before he would say another word.

He walked up and down the room, the staff stayed with Melia to keep her where she was. Salvador his mind was raising, what did this girl know, who was she, had to the lord of light send her to .. to.. what for? He walked up to her again, listening to her cry as big tears dribbled down to the ground where they collected in a small puddle of her tears. He stood hovered over her, his hand shaking as he held it over her head. He hesitated, almost fearing that he would not be seeing anything he wanted to see.

Her mind grew numb, not longer for her to visit memories or thoughts she wanted. No control as Salvador dived into her mind. She could feel his cold hand resting on top of her head, as the other was tightly holding her throat. He wanted to know if those memories were imbedded in her mind, of mages have come to her to make her think that she was someone she was not. He found nothing, but before he left.. he heard that song. That song that he and his wife would sing to Michael if he was ever to be afraid of something, of when he was to go and sleep. Within a split second that he heard that song he let go of her and landed on his bum on the floor before her. His eyes full of shock, hell. fear.. who was she?! Why did she know these things!

[Scottie]

Melia dragged her head back up, the thumping and pain was still there. When his forehead furrowed gently, she knew something was wrong. His eyes were wide and as that name left her lips, he fell. She scrambled backwards, not wanting to touch him. But it was a sight to see for sure. The great and mighty king....on his backside. His voice cracked and Melia knew that something was going to happen. The staff slammed down and the ground vibrated under her skin. She waited for the handful of hair to be torn backwards from her scalp, but the guard was halted by Salvador. She could hear the family being huddled backwards out of the room. She wanted to go with them, she wanted to beg their forgiveness and heal Becky as best as she could. Tears collected under her chin and she sniffled gently. Both hands on the ground now, as her hands were stained with blood and tears. She could hear him moving closer but she didn't move. If she was to meet her maker again...then so be it. For then she would never cause pain to another because of her stupid mistakes.


Her eyes rolled back into her skull and her wrists felt weak. She felt ready to slam down onto the cold black floor as all pain left her mind... all feeling left her mind. She could feel his hand touch her head and the other around her throat. This was it. This would be her death, her neck snapped by a monstrous king. But he flew back from her. The song floated back into her skull and she slammed her head forward. Her palms flat on the freezing floor. "S...Someone holds me safe and warm." The words were harsh on her throat. Like someone was forcing sandpaper over her tongue. "H...Horses...prance through a s...silver storm..." Her words were soft like she was singing a lullaby to someone who would not see her. Melia slowly dragged herself away from the man until she felt safe enough to turn around. Sitting on her backside with her legs crossed before her. Her tear filled eyes finally lifted up to him and she sniffled softly. "Why do I know that song?" Her words small as she asked him hoping he had the answer.

"W...Why do I know that room...Was I...Did I used to live here?" Her tears returning and she messily wiped her face clean. "Y...You don't know." She could see the shock in his face. "I'm sorry for entering the room. I shouldn't have. I should know my place." Her eyes slowly dropped to her apron and she dragged her left hand up to press into her neck. "It burns like a thousand suns. Both cuts...two...like the first didn't work." She let out a feeble small laugh. "When you kill me....make it work first time." Tears splattered onto her apron and she kept her hand on her neck. She wanted to ask him a million questions but she didn't want his rage. She didn't want to feel the pain he could inflict. All she wanted now....was to ensure that Becky's family were safe....and that she got the punishment she deserved for failing that family.

[Dark Pigeon]

HE was breathing heavily, he had not heard that song in such a long time. It was impossible for anyone to know about it. Everyone that had ever heard it was now dead. "H... how? How should I know.. you are not suppose to know that song" HE told her in utter disbelieve as he stayed seated on his bum. He just could not push himself up to his feet, he was utterly shocked.. and fearing the girl before him. She had showed him his past, and boy.. did he not like to see it. Shame, utter shame and fear were showing on his face for a moment.. only to be replaced by that anger again. "I don't know if you lived here before.. who you used to be.. Let alone why you are back! HOW!"

He pushed himself up and looked as if he was drunk as he moved over to the stairs. He sat down and gestured for his staff to come towards him, holding the damn thing always made him feel so much better. The staff reacted and went to his master so that the man could close his hand around it. Salvador needed to think, but his mind wasn't making any sense now. "You could have, you could have lived here before. A.. a maid? one of the few girls that took care of .. " He could not even utter the name without feeling sick. He turned pale, his eyes still open wide. "YES!" He roared at her, his anger flaring up as he glared at her. "you should know your damn place! YOu saw something that I do not want anyone to see, to hear! YOU! YOU went into that room, you distrusted the very place! A toy out of place, his clothes ruffled as you moved them around! You had NO FUCKING RIGHT!" He grabbed the side of his head, he wanted to kill her. But that would mean, that the only person in this world that remembered his son as well.. would die. He could not kill her, he wanted someone to know Michael as well.. because if Salvador was to die, all memories of his son would be gone as well..

"I can not kill you" He said, his voice broken as he looked at her. She saw that same man as in that room sitting there. One that had lost everything he ever cared about. "You.. you remember him.. wh.. what do you know. I need to know everything, every single detail. Do.. have.. have you seen is face, the color of his eyes? What as his first word.. I.. I need to know.. I forgot his f.. " He took in a shaky breath, it had been so long ago, his entire being filled with darkness and anger for so long, that he had started to forget everything that made him feel anything else. He could not handle it, he would remember if his mind and body were to agree that he could take it.. "Tell me everything, ask me.. anything." He told her as he gestured for her to come closer so that they need not talk as loud.. this needed to be done in whispers.

[Scottie]

Her eyes dropped when he said he didn't know how she knew it. She had wanted a clear answer for once. Everything seemed so muddy since she came here. Shame that was once registered on his face was quickly replaced by rage. "H..How else would I know?" She asked him plainly, if she hadn't lived here in her past life...then she wouldn't know this place. Melia pulled her knees slowly towards her chest as he stood up and shakily moved towards the stairs. A maid. She could have been a maid that would be a good explanation. A maid would know where the floorboards were squeak and where toys went. His anger flared up and she flinched, burying her face into her knees. She wanted to scream back that the child would have not cared about a toy out of place or his clothing moved, he wouldn't have cared at all.

Her gaze slowly lifted from the blue of her dress when he said he couldn't kill her. He sounded like a broken man. She opened her mouth to answer but his questions came too fast. "I...I don't know." She said softly, her words pitiful in what he wanted to hear. "I...I never had any proper dreams or those feelings about a child before. This was different." Melia said with a soft sniffle as she wiped away her tears. "I...i didn't see his face...just I...I...." Her forehead creased as the pain continued. Her soul was screaming at her and she still didn't understand. Her eyes flicked up as he gestured for her to come closer. She hesitated at first and then slowly crawled to sitting near the bottom step. "I..I can't..I" She slowly closed her eyes and let out a long breath. "I can remember those lights. Three. Perfect and twinkling above his little head. He wouldn't sleep without them. His...His little chubby hands used to reach out for them like he could pluck them from the sky." She gestured with her fingers as if she was reaching out for the lights. "The lights were safety...but..th.the song was when he was scared...Of the lightening up above or a when he awoke in the darkness. I could hear him crying...it echoed around my mind."

Her eyes snapped open and she found nothing before her. No baby crying. No crib. Only emptiness. Melia turned her gaze slowly to Salvador and gave him a small sad smile. "What was he like? Did he have your eyes?" She asked quietly, like this was a massive secret to be kept from everyone else. Her eyes kept on his, the sadness echoed in them was staggering. She recognised those eyes, but sadness was not something she often saw in them. "h..How did you make him come back...if only for a few seconds. The blanket was moving, like he was sleeping....I thought he was actually there." Her bottom lip wobbled for a moment before she pressed her lips firmly together. "h...How long has it been...s..since..." She couldn't even bring herself to ask. She just wanted to know. For it would be as long as she had walked this earth in her past self.

[Dark Pigeon]

He listened to her, not showing that anger that he normally would.. not with her here alone with him as she was able to tell him what he wanted to hear. These were no memories he wanted to hear while she cried out in pain, these he wanted to hear with her voice like her own as she wanted to share this information with him. She could help him with those memories he had forgotten, so many memories that had faded over time. But most of all, he was so badly in need to talk about his child and wife, and for the first time in a very long time he had found someone he could do this with. She had already seen him being.. different.. when they were both in that room. To her he did not need to pretend that he wasn't that man, that he was something else entirely. She had seen him at his most vulnerable, and he was to confused about it all to truly know what he wanted to do next. "Yes, tree little lights every single night he, he liked that.. ." Salvador said as he took in a few shaky breaths. If he had been able, he would be sobbing like a child right now. But his tears had dried up decades ago. He found it difficult to talk about this, every single word he had to drag from out of himself. It took all of his strengt to do so.

what was he like Salvador looked at her as she asked him this question. She wanted to know more about his child. "Like all toddlers" He said as he took in another deep breath. "he, he liked playing outside.. or running hard over the floors and dropping himself.. so.. so he would slide past the throne." Salvador said, tiny smile creeping up his lips as he remembered this. As soon as he started to feel, his eyes became cold had harsh again. He would not do this, he could not think of his child and be this murderous vengeful man at the same time. He went silent, but glared up at her as she asked about the magic he had preformed. "I make the room show me the last memorie it had of him, of him and me together.. I.. I read .. I read that story the night before we .. left"

He remembered that night better than any. He had been nervous all day long as he knew that they would travel back to the magical school he had trained to be what he was now. For all those years he had been there, he had been told every single day that he would never be any good, that his magic was wrong, that he just did not have the qualities to be... anything remotely important. Everything to make him feel small about himself, for reasons only Salvador knew the truth about. "To long" Salvador said as he tried to remember how long he had been in this state. The large oak that stood before the stables was only an acorn when his wife had told him she was with child, and but a small tree when Salvador had lost his family. Now it stood tall and broad, casting a shadow over the stables. "Many, to many lifetimes"

He looked over at her, his eyes pierced as he eyed her up and down. "Do you dream, dreams you find yourself being in a place you know so very well. Yet.. when you wake, you know you never been there. You.. find yourself confused, not understanding.. and yet. You start to get confused because it all felt so very normal" Salvador asked her as he leaned forward. "Can I see the scar?" He asked her as he let go of his staff, I want to take a good look"

[Scottie]

She was glad that he confirmed the three lights. It told her that she wasn't going crazy. Melia started to chew at her bottom lip as he answered her questions. When he said the child was like all toddlers, the voice in her mind wanted to chastise him. For Michael was not an ordinary toddler, he was amazing, he was wonderful, he was one of a kind. She let out a faint puff of laughter as she tried to imagine a small boy rushing past her and sliding before the throne. Her eyes slowly returned to him and found only coldness in the greens of his eyes. She wanted to move back from him as he glared at her. She was intrigued by the magic. "The last night...before you left....I can remember that." She said softly. "But I saw it from a different place. I saw your back and not your side..." Her words faded away as her forehead creased. She was so very confused, she saw it in her mind but it wasn't real. That wasn't how it happened she could just tell.


Melia had wanted an amount. She wanted to know what year this woman would have lived. How she would have dressed, how she would have spoken...how she would have lived. Melia blinked rapidly and tried to imagine herself living back then. Many lifetimes ago, how long had her soul been dormant. Floating around waiting to be reborn. She was startled when his eyes returned to hers. She felt like they burned through her clothing and then her skin. She nodded softly. "I used to dream of long winding corridors and big oak doors. I would wander around them and find the door I was looking for....then when I woke up, I found only the grey ceiling of my home." She fidgeted with her hands as he continued to stare right through her. "I used to dream of somewhere that felt like home...but it wasn't my home. But it felt right, like I was meant to be there....But it wasn't my parents house. I just presumed it was something that I had made up...but the carpet that lead to it...is the one down that corridor." She was taken back by his next request."Y....Yes..." Her eyes flicked to the staff for a moment before moving to rest on her knees before him.

She gathered her hair up and tilted her head forward revealing her gnarled scar. It was burning like a white hot poker and the surface was raised more than normal. It looked like someone had dragged a knife through her neck twice. The first time was a shoddy attempt...or it had been partially healed by the time the second entered the skin. Melia kept her eyes on the ground as she tightened her grip on her hair. "W...Would someone have killed a servant like this during that time?" Her words muted by her masses of hair. "Would this be the punishment for something? D...Did she deserve this?" Before he could answer, she shook her head softly. "None of them deserved it." Her words like a whisper to him. "W...Would you have done this?" She asked him, not truly wanting to know the answer. He had moments ago torn the eyes from Becky's head. She didn't want to know the truth about whether he could have torn a knife through her neck in her past life.

[Dark Pigeon]

He waited for her to come over, to his liking she was rather slow. But he said nothing about it as it was just not worthy getting his panty's in a twist over. He watched her carefully as she picked up her hair from her neck, to reveal the strange scar in her neck. The wound seemed inflamed, but all it was, was the scar acting up after everything that had happened that day. He slowly extended his hand towards her, and touched the scar with his cold boney fingers. Melia flinched, something that made Salvador snarl as he was used to get his way. If she was refusing anything, he would surely have a fit over it. "Sit still" he barked at her before he rubbed his finger over the scar again. It felt.. hot, strangely enough. His cold fingers gave her some relieve as the for the first time in ages, brought comfort and not pain. He did not answer her first question, all his attention was on the scar. He needed to confirm that it was indeed a soul-mark, not a scar after she had been wounded at some time in her life. If anyone in this world knew every single thing that there was to know about souls, it was Salvador.

"It is a soulmark.. remarkable. One rarely seems them this clear" He told her, his voice calm as he was clearly very interested in the mark in her neck, and not about hurting the girl before him. Did not mean he had forgotten what she had done, and he would never forgive it either. "Hmm?" He looked at her as he removed his fingers from the scar in her neck. He rose to his feet and just.. well.. gave her a little push with his foot so she would roll of the stairs and be removed from him. He took hold of his staff again and started to walk away from the girl as the staff followed him like a loyal dog. "They all deserved it" Salvador said as he looked at her "I would not have killed every single one of them if they had not" He kept walking around, something he did when he was nervous, or thinking about something that demanded all his attention. "I have killed many men and women, in all kind of .. creative ways. You could have been killed by my hand. I do not doubt for a second that that would could have been because of me.. or through an order I have given to my soldiers. I did not want any reminders of what I have lost, nor did I wish to look at anyone that felt any kind of love in their hearts for the Lord of Light, or any of the other High Mages." He looked at her, tilting his head slightly as he frowned "You said you hated the color... Canary yellow" he said, his grip around the staff tightening. "Why would you hate it. Is the Lord of Light not the kind of man that women like you love? Him, coming in here on his bright white steed, saving you, your family from this.. evil king that finds pleasure in killing you? Why would you hate something that stands for the freedom you can have."

[Scottie]

For the umpteenth time that day, she felt her eyes roll back like she was going to black out. His cold fingers touched her skin and she instinctively flinched. It was cold and it felt strange. But as he hissed at her, she stayed still. Relishing in the relief his fingers brought her skin. Her eyes slowly closed and she let out a long sigh. Her view of him was blocked by her hair but she could hear him. It was a soul mark, that meant something surely. She waited for the responses to the questions she asked, but was met with his foot in the small of her back kicking her forwards. She stumbled forwards and only just caught her face from smashing off the ground. Her hair was splayed around her and she scooped some up so she could see him. Her eyes filled with a new rage as her neck burned. Shaking her head gently, she knew he would have killed them regardless of what they had done. "You would have killed her in such a way....a cowardly way. To kill someone when they were turned away from you." Her bottom lip wobbled and she pushed herself up to sitting on her bum.

She wanted to scoff loudly. He had no problems with anyone looking at him like they did the Lord of Light. Her eyes flicked back up when he spoke to her again. Her jaw tensed and she could see the rage behind his grass green eyes. "I hate the colour. I am violently sick whenever I see it. I don't know why. It fills me with rage and fear." She let out a harsh laugh and dropped her eyes to her hands. "Not all of us. He is the almighty wonderful lord of light. Bringing love and light with him wherever he walked." She said her voice changing like she was mocking someone. "Oh he'll never leave us like this forever. I've heard old women pass with his name in their final breath. They were wishing for him since their childhood. He is a bastard." Her words blunt and her hands curled into fists. "He leaves us here. He doesn't stand for freedom. He stands...He stands for nothing." Her eyes snapped up to him, rage still clear in her grey eyes. "I never loved that man. The colour made me terrified as a child. I had been gifted my grandmothers bright yellow shawl when I was 6 and I refused to be in the same room as it. It filled me with dread, it scared me like nothing else, I would empty my guts every time I set my eyes on it." She slowly faded away, taking in a deep breath as her hands were still clenched into fists. "I wouldn't put my hope on that man. Canary yellow....The colour tastes like ashes in my mouth, it smells like burning flesh and it looks like dead flesh. I would never fawn over someone like that." She sounded disgusted at the very insinuation.

[Dark Pigeon]

"Cowardly way... well well, you have not yet lost your fighting spirit. Remember darling, I can have your family killed for you talking to me in such a way. I killed them because I wanted them gone, every single fucking one of them. Someone has betrayed me, my queen.. and quite like you they were a bunch of liars.. they deserved it, and I should have killed them sooner" He told her as he snarled, giving her a warning look as she should be more careful as to what she told him.

Salvador had not thought to hear someone talk so.. angrily about the Lord of Light, especially not someone that had only benefit from him saving everyone. Everyone would tell them that they did not care for the lord of light, they knew what would happen if they said anything else. But she truly seemed to hate him, hell... she spat out his name every single time she said it. It was amusing for Salvador to hear this, he even smiled.. hell.. chuckled as she went on and on how she hated him, the color.. how she wished to stay away from the man as well as she possibly could. Did not mean that he truly believed her though. Nobody but him had a reason to hate the much loved Lord of Light, this.. perfect being that everyone wished to be. Every single man wanted to be like him, every single woman wished to be with him. He was perfection, and everyone was wishing for him to come to Salvador's kingdom.


Now, Salvador knew that the Lord of Light was slowly starting to win the war. After all these years and years of battle, Salvador was finally slowly starting to loose it. He knew that one day the boarders would break, that the armies of the Lord of Light would be coming for him. And if this happened, his people.. every single person living in this kingdom? All would come to aid the Lord of light, and destroy Salvador, and end the mission he was on. "Oh but he is coming dear. Him and his armies are still pounding away at the boarders of our countries. Do you not feel better knowing that, one day.. in this lifetime you will see freedom for the first time?" He walked up to her, slowly leaning down so he could look her in the eye. He seemed amused, as if her lie was the funniest he had ever heard.

"Oh poor simple girl. He stands for freedom, for all that is sweet and good.. Like puppies, kittens, warm spring days. He is perfect in every single fucking way, and I never had met a person that has hated him more than I do. " HE spat, lord, he hated talking about this horrible man. "Am I not the bastard?" He smiled as he looked at her and tilted his head. "I am the one having you here crawling over the floor. I am the one that has the blood of your friend on his hand. The one that would kill your family just for laughs.. I will, I promise if you taunt me to much I will have them scream in agony, scream for death. Do not tell me that you would rather have me here as your king, than the Lord of Light coming for you.. come on.. speak truthfully.. amuse me with your opinion"

[Scottie]

Her eyes flicked up to him and held his gaze. He could threaten her all day with the death of her family, it made shivers go up her spine. But it just made her want to find something slice her throat with. For if she was gone. He had no reason to harm them. He might still do so, but it wouldn't be her fault. Her forehead creased, it was the first he had said his queen. Her neck burned a hot white pain and she wanted to scold the scar. "You think I betrayed you?" She asked him plainly. Refusing to bow to his warning look. She was taken back by his smile and chuckle. She didn't like when he laughed, it meant something bad was going to happen. Dread hit her stomach when he said that the lord of light was coming. She didn't want that...or did she. She was conflicted. She shook her head slowly, "Freedom at his hand will come with a price I know it." She held his gaze.

She shook her head again. "Everyone thinks he is. But I can tell that he's not. Even hearing his name makes it burn like fire." Melia didn't know how to respond to his next question. She thought for a moment before raising herself up to her knees, getting closer to him that she had first thought. She was mere centimetres away from brushing her nose with his. "You are a bastard. But not the worst." She said softly. Her eyes holding his gaze, "I know exactly what you are capable of. You do not hide it. All of us know the lengths you go to. How much pain and harm you bring people." Her words were steady for someone whose whole body was shaking gently. "But he is worse. You know why? Because he hides. He hides himself. He hides what he is capable of. Stories float to us in the village. Of a great man, of a wonderful good man. No one is that good." Her eyes not moving from his. "You can make me crawl around this room, you can cut out Becky's eyes and kill my family. But you are upfront with that....I fear that if I was to accept that Lord of Light. See him as our saviour...he'd be the one to stab us in the back. Speak only sweetness but wreck havoc when he has us wrapped around his pinky."

Melia slowly dropped herself back to sitting on her bum and lowered her eyes away from him. "You are a nasty person. Mean and sadistic. But you never filled my stomach with the fear and hatred I have for him. Even when you tore out Becky's eyes. Even when you let Stellos break me. Not even then." Melia felt like her body was slowly giving up, the pain in her neck was becoming unbearable. "Maybe he'll bring light back to this place. Maybe he'll be the best thing for my family...for everyone. But my gut tells me it is all a lie. Something sweet....to mask the ashes that will follow." Melia dragged her eyes back up to him and watched him. "I'd rather have you than him. I think he'll be the end of this city. Lord of light....that could mean bringing sunshine....or the blinding light of a destructive fire." She let herself sink into the greenness of his eyes. She hated him truly but he never made her feel the way that that lord of light did. Even hearing her name made her feel drained, made her feel like there was no hope left in the world. Yes. Salvador may rule like a bastard over this land, but she thought it a better option that what could come if her gut reaction was right.

[Dark Pigeon]

He let out a hard mocking laugh "You WILL betray me, everone will do so as soon as that man stands before my castle. You can pretend, you can lie, you can tell yourself again and again that you hate the Lord of Light more than you do me. But if time comes, you will be as eager to plant a dagger into my chest." He waved his hand up in the air in frustration, this girl was getting to him.. and yet he liked it that she kept telling him how much she hated the lord of light as well. He needed a lowly creature like her to tell him she hated him as well, it made him feel just a little bit better about himself. Something that his ego and paranoia truly needed right about now. He passed around the room again, he seemed to be the kind of person that could rarely truly sit still.. might be the reason why he was almost skin and bones. He snorted "Oh it wil come with a price all right. Simple folk like you will never truly understand the cost a price like it" He frowned at her, damn... she was so very naïf about it all. He shook his head as she told him that she hated to hear the mans name.. he did not truly believer her, but he still was entertained by the whole show she was putting on.

He stopped and blinked his eyes, a wonderful smile growing over his face as his eyes started to sparkle. She called him a bastard right in his face! Oh lord! He had not heard someone say that in .. well.. Okay, just days. But that man was dead now, so that did not count now did it? But he still loved to hear it, and this girl.. he had tortured her, he had showed him how cruel he truly could be. And here she sat, just.. hanging around like the fat little rat she was, telling him who she thought him to be! He became rather proud of himself as she told him that he wasn't the worst, that the lord of light was! he was like a peacock showing of his feathers, he was proud.. proud to hear that someone at least understood that he wasn't the biggest most worst person in the world! Nope, his enemy was. Yes, yes! He was at least honest, he showed his cruelty and did not hide it. He wasn't afraid to go all the way to get what he wanted! He was braver, better, hell.. he even found himself to be kinder than the Lord of light.. and the longer he listened to Melia, the more he agreed that she felt the very same way.

He felt a challenge coming on though, she told him that he could never make her fear him more than the lord of light. Even when he took Becky's eyes right in front of her, she still hated the Lord of Light more. He wanted to see how far he needed to go, see how much more she hated the lord of light. He liked this challenge, it gave him a little hobby to get is mind of things. He walked up to her again and smiled the loveliest smile possible on a human face (God, we love Loki's smile don't we??) "You know exactly what to say to please your king don't you little one?" He asked her as he leaned over her, wanting to look her in the eyes. "Tell him that there is so little I can do to make you hate me, more than you hate that bastard. I.. wonder, what is it that I need to do to you.. to others, to make you hate me more. It is almost as if you challenge me to find out myself" He chuckled, happy that this girl had made him feel good about himself. "I know what the cost will be of him bringing me to my knees. If he is truly smart.. which I doubt.... he knows exactly what to do. But little does he know, that one day I will destroy that bastard and all that stand with him. Paint the walls of his city with his blood and that of all that adore him. Such sweet victory. Now.. tell me sweet little thing." He leaned closer towards her, his nose almost touching hers. "What am I to do with you, after you betrayed me with what you seen in that Room. You have not yet been punished, and I am still very... very angry"

[Scottie]

She shook her head softly, "I'd rather plant a dagger in my own chest." She said in a small whisper. He was wandering around commanding the room, his gestures wild as he seemed both pleased and upset at her words. "I think we have an idea Sire." She said bluntly, her eyes up on him. "We see what one lord has done to the land...another wouldn't help it." He walked over to her and she had to force herself not to move back. His smile almost split his cheeks and she felt fear plummet into her stomach. She kept her eyes on him though Melia wanted to stare at the ground. "I..I am not challenging you." She whispered to him. "I don't want anything to happen to anyone else because of me. If flesh is needed take it from me." Melia felt a shiver run up her spine when he laughed. Her body shook when he got closer. His nose almost touching hers. Her bottom lip wobbled as he forced her to make up her own punishment. "I..Um..I..." Her words shook like her skin.

She had an inkling of how this could go. It would go one of two ways. Either she picked too soft and he would laugh at her before breaking her again. Or she went too hard of a punishment...and he went through with it. She couldn't settle on anything, she had heard the stories of girls used and abandoned within days. She didn't want to become like them. She had only herself...and her purity. Her eyes flicked up to his and she blinked slowly. "I know that Sire. I can see the rage in your eyes." Her words gently brushing his skin. "I told you weeks ago...that I was p..pure." Her jaw tensed. "I am more than that. I am innocent as they come. Only one man has spent company with me and he could barely hold my hand." She moved forward, her nose brushed his gently. "You know what it is like in the village....The stories around your first kiss. That person holds a part of your soul..a part of your heart." Melia kept her glistening grey eyes on him. "They never leave you. They plague your dreams and every waking moment....For they own a part of you." Her jaw tensed again. "Take that from me." Her words blunt as she stayed perfectly still. "Take the punishment out on something I hold precious. Take something that is meant to be special....and make it yours."

[Dark Pigeon]

Good, she was smart and observant enough to see that he was angry. At least he did not need to beat that into that pretty little head of hers. He found himself rather clever, thinking that this girl could never come up with a punishment as he could. He watched her think, she seemed to understand that if she came up with a punishment to soft.. that he would make her suffer only more. IF she went to far, well.. he would not mind giving her what she wanted. As she said that she had told him she was pure, oh hell! His smile grew, was she giving herself freely to him! "No I do not know what it is like in the godsdamn village" He snarled at her, as if he had ever showed his face over there! Did she not know how difficult it was to get mud out of silk... well! He did not know it either, but his servants did! And he was pretty sure it was difficult.

First kiss, as soon as she said this he could not help but to think of his own. Lord, he was such a scrawny young boy, with his long greasy black hair, that horrible high voice as his true voice had not yet settled in. He had his allergies, loved to read and study, everything about him just screamed .. looser. Really, that monstrous king standing before Melia had been the embodiment of losers. He had to be around 16 years old, many of the other male students already had girlfriends, many girls had boyfriends and none of them liked Salvador as the teachers clearly had it in for him, and he always just.. fuck man.. such a looser. it was when he had talked with the girl he felt so badly in love with, she never really had noticed him until now. She finally was seeing through his awkwardness and saw that he was indeed a very gently and intelligent young man. Yes, he was a looser, but with her help (and she knew this) he might get just a little bit tougher. She had kissed before, she was a rather popular girl who had it all. Good grades, from a good family, she was pretty, and just good and pretty much everything she did. He was nervous, they had talked about kissing before but he seemed to be a little scared of it all. Especially after the scool dance, everyone had their eyes on them as they had danced. He and is future wife, but as she tried to kiss him he had vomited all over her dress.. nerves.. and bad fish. But his wife, amazing as she was had beaten up the ones laughing the loudest and had held her head high as she walked out of the ballroom with vomit all over her.. gods bless her soul, she was a cool chick! His first kiss had come two days after the school dance, under the tree while he and his girlfriend had enjoyed some crackers and juice.

Salvador snapped out of his memorie and blinked rapidly as he looked down at the girl. She was right, that first kiss was the one he remembered the most, he could still smell the grass and bluebells that surrounded him, he still tasted the crackers in his mouth. He had not expected this, he was both very much insulted by the girl.. and yet the punishment was so very clever. Yes, it was important, yes, she would never have her first kiss from anyone that actually loved her. "Agreed. I will take that from you." He told her as he rose himself up to his full height. "Stand up, on your feet" He told her as he let go of his staff, his smile gently fading as he looked more serious now. As she was finally standing before him he walked up to her and placed his hand in the back of her neck, and slowly leaned in to kiss her in an somewhat aggressive but passionate way. He held her until he was done and smiled at her as he let go and pushed her away from him, not hard.. but enough to make her step back a few paces. He took a hold on his staff again and looked down at her. "And, now.. I took something that is dear to you. Something close to your soul, a memorie that you can never forget. Quite like you have disturbed mine.. If you ever tell another soul about what had happened, what you saw.. It will not end well." He took in a deep breath and started to walk away. He had enough of her, and he badly needed to fix the room that she had disturbed. When he was close to the door he stopped and glanced over his shoulder. "Do you still wish to learn to read, or are you to spend your days in the kitchen scrubbing?" he asked her before slowly turning around.

[Scottie]

Her mind was running a mile a minute. What if he said no? What if he demanded her tongue or someone elses eyes or something horrible? His eyes seemed to glass over and she felt her heart in her throat. He agreed and she felt a pang of shame. This was meant to go to someone special, it was meant to be a moment to remember forever. But truth be told, she knew that her days on this earth were limited. This memory would not be the worst one to come. He rose to his full height and she felt her lower lip wobble. She glanced around them, the staff were remaining hidden but she felt like every single eye was on her. She pushed herself slowly to her feet and wiped her hands on her apron. She had barely enough time to raise her eyes when his hand was on the back of her neck. He could feel the heat radiate from her scar and how her cheeks filled with red as he he slowly leaned in. This would be her memory. The faint smell of blood, hate, fear and sorrow in her heart and a man who thought her nothing more than the scum on his shoe. She didn't try to resist his kiss and let it happen.

Her eyes drooped shut and she found herself in another world. Instead of blood.... She smelled sweet flowers and grass. She felt heat on her skin and swore she could taste grapes. Sweet grapes not wine. Her hand instinctively moved to his shirt, her fingers barely brushing it as she wanted him closer. It felt right. Like he was made for her. Like he was the missing piece in her puzzle. He stopped and she blinked rapidly. One hand raised slowly to brush over her lips. Her fingers hovered over her lips and she kept her gaze on him. She nodded and let her eyes slowly drop to the floor. He had taken something from and added more confusion than she needed right now. He moved away and she mouthed the first thing on her mind. Only if he was truly paying attention would he hear her or even notice her lips moving. "You taste like grapes...." Melia stood in the centre of the room, bewildered and confused about what to do now. She violently shook her head, she felt like she was standing in the middle of fog. She heard his question and her eyes flicked to him. Her answer was stammered out as fast as she could. "I want to learn how to read." Before slowly dropping her eyes. "I wish to learn how to read Sire." Her words gently as she stared at the floor.

[Dark Pigeon]

Salvador nodded slowly and let out a sigh "Very well then, Your lessons are to start tomorrow. Vermin will teach you, I do not have the patients for such things. He will come to collect you tomorrow after breakfast service. You wil meet with me once a week to show off your progress.. Do not dare to disappoint me. " He thought for a second and nodded as he had said everything about this what he wanted to say. He started walking again and as the door swung open he looked back at her "You taste like juice, how odd.. " he told her before he walked out of the throne room and the doors closed behind him.

Now she was alone on the throne room, or at least so she thought. As the door closed she could hear someone coming from behind the throne. It as Vermin, looking like he had been the first one to meet with Salvador's anger. He was badly wounded, one eye closed as it had turned bright blue and swollen, his knees were bleeding as was his nose. It had been broken, but he had popped it back in the right place. But hew as still able to walk and stand on his own two feet. He might be a small thing, but lord was he strong!. He carefully walked down the long large stairs and walked up to Melia. "its alright" He said as he let out a deep breath. "I bring you to the kitchens.. or .. well.. better. I take you to the stables. I think is better for you to stay away from Benjamin for a few days. Stable is good place, warm bed, and good people. You find something to do there.. we start the reading tomorrow.. I promise you that you like it, Vermin very good teacher." He told her gently as he walked up to her to take her hand. He gently rubbed her hand and started to walk her out of the throne room and towards the stables where she was to stay. "You smart girl, I good teacher.. you be reading in no time. Vermin think you like very much. Give you something that will bring you to better place, in mind.. not in real. I pick out books, Vermin pick out good book for Melia.." He said gently as they walked through the castle and away from the kitchens.

He had to take her outside, she could hear the men talking in the stables. Normally they would be laughing, but they had heard what had happened, and everyone wanted to know the latest news. Vermin walked her pasts the large old oak, the oak that had been planted when Salvador's wife had told him she was with child, and what had been just a sapling when both she and her son were murdered. Vermin kept walking, pulling her with him as he did not want to waste to much time as he had more then enough to do. Mostly he wanted to see how Becky was doing, and Goat... especially goat.

As they entered the stables she was met by a few handsome looking men. All of them worked in the stables. The oldest was Hedrick, a man in his 50's with long grey hair and a thick grey/blackish beard. He was a strong build man, but rather small. He was the one to notice them fist and gestured to the others to keep their mouths shut. "Evening Ver, you brought the girl?" he asked as he stepped forward to size her up. "yes, better stay away from Benjamin, so.. no kitchen for the girl" Hedrick agreed and nodded "We will find her a job to do tomorrow." He said as he scratched the back of his neck. "I am Hedrick, I am the farrier. This red headed scrawny looking man is Olly" He said, Olly waved as he heard his name. "That is Gaston, he takes care of the horses with Olly.." Hendrik said, a dark skinned man smiled and made a little bow. "And then we have Eric, Bill, and Jan." three other men waved and smiled gently towards the girl. Hedrick thought for a second and sized up his men "Eric, Jan.. you two share the same bed.. the girl gets the bed in the corner. we hang up some blankets to give her some privacy.. You two get that done. Olly, get the poor las something to drink" Hedrick said. Eric and Jan were pouting like never before but nodded. Never would anyone say no to Hedrick.

Hedrick watched the men leave and turned towards Melia again. Vermin had said his goodbye to the girl and was already on his way to Benjamins family. "So.. tell me girl.. what is your name, and have you been around horses before?" Hendrik asked as he started to walk her through the stables. They were almost as richly decorated as the entire castle, surely the person who owned these animals truly cared about them. Every single horse looked very well taken care off, and every single one of them had a lovely shiny coat.

[Scottie]

Lessons. She didn't know how to respond but she gave him a small attempt at a smile. She nodded, trying to make a mental note of all the requirements of this agreement. Her eyes snapped up to him when he spoke again, juice. Her eyebrows shot up. She hadn't had any juice since the last time they ate together. Such finery was not allowed by servants. It was milk or a murky water with meals. Nothing as sweet as juice. She wanted to stammer out a defence but he was gone. The door closed and she felt the walls close in on her. She slowly dropped her eyes to the floor, blood surrounded her feet and she felt shame cover her body. Yes, she had lost something important to her. But she was still well. She still had her eyes. She still had her sight. She could hear shuffling feet and instinctively took a small step back. Her wide eyes up on Vermin before she stopped her movement. He looked horrible. She wanted nothing more than to help him. Tears threatened to spill onto her cheeks when he told her that the kitchens would not be the best bet.

Stable. That was where animals were kept. She didn't say anything, she just nodded. Melia let him take her hands and felt his little thumb rub over the back of her hand. "I'm sorry Vermin. I fucked things up again." Her words struggled past her lips. Here he was, making sure that she would be alright when she had caused such chaos. Melia would bet her right hand that she was the first "girl" to cause such problems. "I..I..I didn't mean to..I.I..." She stammered to the small creature as he lead her out to the stables. She would have continued to stammer out her sorry's when she saw a tree. It held leaves, it was one of the few she had seen. Her heels nearly kicked in at the sight of it. She could remember it being smaller. It had barely reached her hip when...Her forehead creased and she shook her head softly. Allowing him to pull her along. As soon as they entered the stables, she kept behind Vermin. In the kitchen, the only large man she had to deal with was Benjamin. And he was kept sweet by his wife. She didn't know these men and she felt like her heart was in a clamp. Job...Here. Doing what. Her eyes brushed past them and followed the long corridor. She could smell hay and she saw a tail flick into view. Her mind started to conjure up horrific creatures.

Small dragons with feather tails. Wolves with wings. Cows with swords instead of horns. Her eyes grew wider with every suggestion her mind threw at her. She didn't snap back to reality until the first man spoke to her. Hedrick, she gave him a small strained smile. Farrier. She had no idea what that was, perhaps it was like a farmer of sorts. Olly was the next, her eyes flicked over to them as another small smile was sent his way. The next man gave her a grand smile and she felt her smile grow as did a small tinge of pink. Eric,Bill and Jan. She kept her hand close to her chest but gave them a small wave. Bed in the corner, blankets. Vermin left and she watched him leave, upset that she couldn't get out the right words to apologise. She snapped her eyes back to Hedrick and took a small step back from the man. He was small but imposing. "Melia" Her words cracked as her eyes moved to the tails flicking into view again. "Horses" She moved a little closer to the stalls and followed the man down the corridor. Her eyes went wide at such a sight. "They are beautiful." She settled her gaze on a deep chocolate brown horse, with small flowers littered in its mane. "I...We don't have many horses in the village. Those that do, keep them to themselves." She kept her hands tight to her chest. "I've never really seen one this close before." Blood still stained her fingers, tears had forged paths through the dust on her face and her right cheek was a brighter red than the other. A good bruise was starting to form under her skin.

[Dark Pigeon]

Hedrick was glad to hear that the girl in front of him had a name, it would be such a nuisance to yell 'girl' around the stables. "You better get washed up first, then I show you where you can sleep until morning." Hedrick said, who was a very gently soul and had this lovely calming voice. He walked her to the back of the stables and smiled as she said that she thought the horses to be beautiful. "The best horses in the country, our king is very fond of his equine friends. As you can see they are well taken care off." Hedrick said proudly as he kept walking over to a big water-trough. The entire thing was made of marble, with two large brass faucet in the shape of horses heads. "There ya go dear.. I will get you a towel to dry up" the friendly man said as he already started to walk off. He went for a small building behind the stables, it was his workplace, the shop of a farrier that had his living space right above it. He went out of view, and came back a couple of moments later. He had a towel with him and a few thick wool blankets for Melia. "Melia, here ya go" Hedrick said as he placed down the blankets and handed her the towel he had promised to bring her.

When she was finally done cleaning herself he waited for her to dry herself off "Put the towel over there, Ill get it cleaned. Pick up the blankets, Ill show you where you sleep" He said, gently and kind. He seemed the kind of person who could walk up to a dragon and become best friends with it by just talking to the animal. As he walked into the stables again the horses softly whinnied while keeping eating away at their hay. "So, never been around horses.. that's alright. There be a first for everything." He gestured her to walk up a ladder, to an Attic above the stables. She could see that some of the men had turned into bed already, hoping that they could get a few hours of sleep before the next day. She could see that they had hang up some blankets, which her bed would be right behind. "No worries about the men, they are all good lads. They will not come to bother you. If they do, just howl my name and Ill be setting things straight." He pushed the blankets aside and showed her the small bed that was hers for the evening. "Well.. this is yours for now. Tomorrow Ill go and have a talk with Ver, he will find you a job to do. I have the boys get you some breakfast tomorrow." Hedrick said kindly before yawning. "Well, I am off to bed. I don't think my wife be holding my spot warm" He said with a kind smile before he headed back to the ladder. He turned around and shook his head, he almost forgot! "are there any questions Melia?"

[Scottie]

Washed up. Her eyes dropped to her hands, truly now seeing the blood that stained her skin. The man before her seemed so kind, she didn't want to fuck their lives up. She didn't to say the wrong thing and have this old man harmed. She padded along silently behind him, her eyes flicking over the horses in their stables. Of course, the king would have the best horses...like he could have anything else. She dragged her eyes back to him and was greeted by a large marble basin. Her eyebrows shot up, she had never seen something this grand before....in a stable as well. It was larger than the bath they had in her home. A towel. She glanced over her shoulder when he left before struggling with the taps. After a few moments struggling, cold water shot out and she dunked her hands under the running water. The water turned a murky red colour as she scrubbed the blood from her hands and her face. She then undid the apron and soaked it in the water. She was frantically trying to remove the blood when Hedrick arrived back. Melia took the towel and said a soft thank you. Drying her face and hands before rinsing the water from her apron. She folded the towel and placed it over the edge of the basin.

Melia followed the man through the well light stable before reaching a ladder. She peered up before following his instructions and pulling herself up the ladder with ease. Her wrist screamed at her but she refused to let it stop her. When her head popped up over the edge of the floor, she ducked back down with a soft yelp. The men were all up there, either trying to nap or getting themselves dressed for bed. Hedrick pushed her up and she stumbled up to the room. She let his words float over her, she was certain that none of them would try anything but she was still a little wary. Blankets hung from the ceiling and she peered into the gap he gave her. It was still better than she had ever had in her childhood home so she was pleased. "Thank you." She plopped the blankets onto the edge of the bed and smirked at the thought of a grumpy wife refusing to keep the bed warm for her husband. Any questions. "No questions. Thank you Hedrick." Her voice shook softly as she called to him. She smiled until the man shambled down the ladder and was out of sight. She plonked herself down on the bed and rested her head in her hands for a moment. Focusing on her shoes as she took in a deep breath.

Melia glanced up and wiped away a stray tear. She caught the eyes of some of the men watching her and gave them a small smile. She stood and pulled the blanket back into place. Slowly undoing her clothes as her fingers were shaking gently. Her mind was running a hundred miles a minute. She was considering how she could take her life before he did something to another. She stripped down to her under dress and pulled a blanket over her shivering body. She tucked the blankets in and curled herself up. She didn't sleep for the next two hours. She had to grow accustomed to the small noises that echoed through the silence and she had to shut out her mind from screaming at her.

[Dark Pigeon]

... the next morning....

Seeing that a blanket-fort does not have any doors to knock on, a couch could be heard before someone knocked on the floorboards. Hedrick had been right, the men would not dare to get past those blankets. "Some breakfast for you, wake up! You get to help us feed the horses" A voice said calmly as Melia cold hear that someone placed down a tray on the ground. The voice of Vermin and Hedrick could be heard, as a third one as they were busy planning out what Melia was to do, and when to do it. She would come with Vermin after breakfast, that she could hear. But as the third voice was soft she would not be able to find out what Vermin and Hedrick were agreeing on. It had to do something with the horses, but what exactly.. of that she could not be clear.

When she was done eating her breakfast, and had headed down the ladder she could see that all the horses were taking care off. Some of them had left their stables to graze outside the stables in the field, others were made ready to be trained or brushed. The entire stable was bussing with life, and it was clear that much work had to be done to keep the animals well taken care of. Vermin was sitting on some bales of hay, waiting patiently for Melia to be ready. She still had time enough, and he did not wish to rush her after what had happened the day before. "Good morning Melia, hope you slept.. Hedrick said you have place for self, very important. We planned you be with the stable hands for while. You meet with the stable master later today, he tell you what you going to do. I think its brushing horses, getting to know them." He said gently as he jumped of the bale of hay. "We go to my room, here you sit at my desk and I teach you about letters. We go from A to Z, I teach you what they called. He gestured her to follow him, he was still limping a bit and soar all over. But nothing that Vermin was not used to already. He looked behind him to see if Melia was following and tried to smile as he saw her coming with him.

[Scottie]

She had no clue what he meant by A to Z. But she followed him none the less. Melia kept quiet as they walked and tried to stop herself from staring at that tree again. She knew that one day, she would probably find herself under that tree. But now, now she was needed in Vermin's room. The room was much smaller than hers had been. His desk was small as he only needed a small one. She plonked herself down, her knees nearly to her chest as the desk was so close to the floor. "A to Z. Okay. We start. You copy me. I read. You read. Then I show you other things. If we has the time." He said nodding towards Melia. Melia wanted to ask about Becky, she wanted to ask about Goat and about Benjamin and Thomas. But as she opened her mouth, Vermin raised a long finger. "No questions. You do this. Then I answer one question. Good. Plan." He said before coming closer to her. Pointing to a grubby looking piece of paper that had already been filled with letters.

Two hours later.

She had learned the alphabet faster than he had expected. It took her four tries to get all letters in the right place and she was very quick to learn. He moved onto smaller words and by the end of their time together, she had mastered the alphabet and words like cat, dog, bat and horse. He thought it best for her to learn things she would probably be seeing in her jobs as well. Melia enjoyed her lesson with Vermin, he was a good teacher. He didn't grow angry with her when she made a mistake and he answered her question when she was finished. "One question. One only. No time for more. One. One." He said raising a finger and giving her a pointed look. "Is Becky okay?" Melia asked frantically. Vermin gestured for Melia to stand and walk with her. "Becky trying to heal. Blacked out with pain a few times. She not spoken to anyone outside of family. They have her in her room. She has...things around head to help." He said with a firm nod and Melia knew that to be the last thing she would hear this day. She silently followed him back to the stables and Vermin gave her a brief goodbye before scurrying off for his next task. The stable was bursting with life as she arrived back. Men were carrying sacks of feed and rushing around the stable, she tried to keep out of their way and stayed close to the basin waiting for her next task.

[Dark Pigeon]

As Jan found her hanging around the stable he gestured towards the other end of the stables. "The stable master is at the other side, better be meeting with him! off ya go lass." He said as he rushed past her to get some more sacks full of feed. She had to walk past all the horses, working men, bays of hay and straw, wheelbarrows full of manure, and empty buckets that had to be filled with water. Most of the horses were outside now, only a few remained in the stables. Every single person that she walked past greeted her with a quick hello before they returned to their job, and as she almost got to the end of the stables and into the large courtyard that held a big riding arena and Hedricks workshop she met the kind farrier that she had met the evening before. "Ah there you are lass! Good to see you are stil around. Albert is by the arena.. better come and help me first. The king is riding at the moment, I guess you do not want to hang around that man if you do not need to?" He said kindly as he gestured her to follow him into his work-shop.

"So, I shoe horses." He told her as he gestured to a horse that stood in his shop, waiting for the farrier to do his work. This here is my son Gaston, you met him yesterday evening" Gaston waved her a friendly hello and went back to his work which was creating a shoe that would fit the horse that he was helping. "This one here is called Oathbringer, he's one of the elders horses we have around.. and we just finished trimming his hooves" He picked up a piece of the hoof that had come off and showed it to Melia. "No worries Melia, its like clipping our nails. My son here is making him special shoes, he has a leg that gets him some trouble. With the shoes we make he feels a bit better." Hedrick gestured her to come further into the shop and to take a seat. "You can help me with the next horse, hold him still while I work on him. That way you can hide away easily" He said, winking at her as she took a seat somewhere in his well organized worksshop.

From where she was sitting she could look into the arena where her king was testing his newest horse. A beautiful brown stallion with long black flowing mane. To Melia it had to look as if they were in a beautiful dance between rider and horse, wo both seemed to enjoy what they were doing. The horse reared on commando, seemed to twirl on his hind legs as Salvador only thought of it, everything seemed to come with such ease.. with such softness. It took a little while, but after a few moments Melia was asked to hold the next horse. It was a smaller white mare with friendly blue eyes. As soon as it noticed that Melia would be there for cuddles and attention the horse wanted to almost crawl into her. "This one is called daisy, or at least.. that's what we call her. I thought that she would be the best horse for you to meet. She's as kind as they come" Hedrick said as he smiled when the horse gently sniffed at Melia's hair.

She could still look into the arena if she so whished. When Hedrick was halfway done with Daisy, Melia could see that Salvador got of his horse and did something around the animals front legs. Unknown to her he loosened the girth before loosening the noseband. The brown animal had its ears perked forward and pushed its head against Salvador's legs. "What do you think my king?" Albert asked. He was a tall and slender build man, with long grey hair that sat in a neat ponytail. Salvador walked the horse out of the arena, not a stable hand in the land that would dare taking the horse from him right now. Salvador smiled carefully and nodded "Still a bit stiff at the right side, but he is very eager to work. Very light on the aids" Salvador said as he brushed the animal gently over its forehead. "My thoughts exactly sire" Albert said as he watched his king giving the horse some well earned attention. He then proceeded to take out an piece of carrot from his pocket and gave it to the large proud animal who gladly took it from him.

Hedrick watched Melia, it had to be strange to see the king being kind. Or for as far as he could be that is, he always had a way with animals and even after everything that had happened he never became cruel towards them. "He always does that, loosening the girth, the noseband, walks them out of the arena and gives them something to eat. He takes better care of his horses than he does over his entire kingdom.. one would wish he cared for us as much for them." Gaston said as he watched his father giving him a deadly glare. "What, it is true.. fuck.. I sometimes wish he turned me into a horse. I be treated like royalty if I was one"

[Scottie]

He was here. Why did he have to choose today to ride a horse? She wanted to pout and scowl but the man before her was so kind and soft spoken that she refused to. Shoe horses....right. She nodded, her mind flicking to the shoes she wore. Was that what he meant? Pink brushed her cheeks when Gaston waved at her and she dropped her eyes to the ground. She sent a soft hello back to him before dragging her eyes up to the horse he was working on. She was shocked when he showed her the hoof, did he tear that off. Trimming their nails. Oh. The horses didn't look that phased by the situation. Oathbringer looked positively bored if anything. She grinned back at Hedrick when he gifted her a chance to hide away. "Thank you." She whispered to him, scared that the bastard king outside could hear her. Melia noticed him straight away. Through the windows was a beautiful horse, its mane whipped in the air and she shuffled her way up to the window. It looked like they were one as they spun around the small pen. She let out a small gasp when the horse reared up, she never really seen anyone ride a horse either. Just the passing guards, they never did such tricks.


Melia heard a set of feet come close and turned back to see a smaller white horse. She smiled gently at the horse and moved closer as Hedrick handed her the reigns. Melia tentatively raised a hand to stroke its neck and the horse demanded cuddles now. So it rammed its neck into her hand and Melia let out a small giggle. The noise floated to those nearby as the horse demanded attention and Melia happily gifted the horse with the attention it wished for. "Hello Daisy." Melia spoke sweetly to the horse and rested her forehead against the soft animals neck. She let her hands run through its mane and along its nose. Tutting softly to her and truly loving being in the animals company. She kept one hand wrapped around the reigns as she moved her fingers to its mane. She started to gently plait a few braids in its white mane while her eyes were on the window outside. She noticed the king gift the animal something and her forehead furrowed.

Hedrick spoke and she returned her gaze to the animal beneath her fingertips. She wound another plait down its mane before chuckling as Gaston spoke to her. Her pink cheeks were quickly hidden by a mane of hair as Daisy demanded her full attention. "What did he gift the horse?" She asked him as Daisy sniffed at her hair. "A sugar cube." Gaston said with a frown. Melia chuckled a little louder, "Maybe keep quiet about your wish to be treated as royalty? Who knows what he'll do!" She peered over Daisy and sent the man a wink. Hedrick stood back up to his full height and brushed Daisy's nose, gifting her with a piece of carrot for her patience. "See nothing wrong there dear. Daisy loves getting the attention." Melia chuckled and brushed the horses mane, "I can tell....You said there was something wrong with the other horses leg?" She asked gently as Hedrick nodded. "Aye. It looks to be a wee problem with the joint is all." Melia snapped her eyes over to the man, "Would you like me to help it?" She lowered her voice to a whisper and hid half behind Daisy. "I can heal little things so maybe I could help him?" She asked hoping he would say yes. She wanted the animal to be free of pain and to thank Hedrick for what he had done for her so far.

[Dark Pigeon]

Hedrick smiled as he let go of Daisy's hoof. He had trimmed all four by now, she was ready to go back into her stall. But with Salvador still near as he was talking to the stable master. Hedrick figured that Melia and Daisy could use some more time together. "Best if we wait until he's gone" he said gently to Melia as he gestured towards their king as he was still talking with the stable-master. The horse was still trying to get some more treats, and loved it when Salvador gently brushed his hand through its mane. That he had a way with horses was clear, why he could not be like this with humans could be seen as mystery. Daisy was still gently pushing Melia around with her head, her lovely blue eyes almost seemed to beg for more and more cuddles. All that Daisy was doing, was wishing for Melia to keep petting her and giving her some sweets. "She really likes you.. here" Hedrick searched behind him for a second and picked up a brush. "Go with the hair, she loves it to be brushed" he said as he handed over the brush to Melia, everything for an excuse to keep her away from the king, and not to anger Albert that nobody was working.. that Albert never liked.

Gaston rolled his eyes at Melia as she told him that he had to be careful what he wished for "You listen to her now Gaston, that man has no boundaries, and even lesser morals if it comes to us. You truly never know what he do to ya" Hedrick said as he walked over to his son. Gaston nodded as he rubbed the back of his neck, he might not like it.. but those two were right. He was an incredibly proud man, and had a sense of morality that conflicted with that of the king he served. His father walked over to him and patted Gaston firmly on his back. "But if you wish for him to ride you, just put on a saddle and get in that Arena.. Maybe you get a sugar cube after" Hedrick laughed loudly as he saw that look in his sons eyes, it went from shock to almost as if he found that a good idea. Gaston started to laugh as well and patted his father firmly on the back.

Salvador was leaving by the time that both Gaston and Hedrick had stopped laughing. They had still joked around about saddles, being brushed behind the ears and how Gaston's long hair would flow just perfectly behind him when he took his king in a chanter over the hills. Luckily for them Salvador never came close to the farriers working place, so they were pretty safe that he man would not hear them. As Melia asked about the horse with its bad leg, both men seemed to grow rather curious as she stated that she could heal. "How emm.. how are ya to heal something you never seen before Las? You never been around horses.. its not the same as with people." Hedrick said kindly. But, well.. You need to ask Albert about such things though, he's the stable master. I can not tell you if you can start working on a horse or not." He said truthfully.

The stable master Albert came walking up to the farriers working station and coughed loudly to get the attention of the hard working men, and the one girl that was brushing off Daisy. They could see Jan walking in the back with the stallion that belonged to the king, he was to take care of it after it had been ridden. Salvador was nowhere to be seen. Hedrick gently nudged Melia on her shoulder and gestured towards Albert. "Ah.. the new girl. Come, follow me and keep up. I will say everything ones.. questions afterwards.." Albert said as he looked her over. He as a tall slender build man with long grey hair that sat in a perfect ponytail. A neatly trimmed mustache and harsh blue eyes. He had a way about him, he seemed very proud and rather full of himself and did not seem like the kind of person that had much patients with anyone. "I heard you have no experience with horses. Good! That means I can teach you and don't have to be bothered to unlearn the wrong knowledge you have gotten over the years! SO!" He turned around and clicked his heels together to give her a good look over. "You met Snow lands pride." He said as he gestured towards the white mare that was now brought back to the stables by Gaston. "You should be start by helping to water the horses, prepare their feed and.. seeing that you not fear them as easily, brush of the horses each and every single morning." Albert said as he nodded and took in a deep breath. He had his hands behind his back as he still looked the girl over. "But seeing that you are to have.. lessons.. I do not see what good you will be for me in the morning. SO!" He turned around again and walked into the stables. "First I will explain everything to you what needs to be done on a daily bases.. now.. keep up! I don't have all day"

[Scottie]

The little horse before her was moving her around with its head. Daisy was demanding attention and this one was not fully giving it. When a brush was placed into her palm, Melia raised her hands and started to tug the brush through her mane gently. She cooed softly at the horse as Hedrick chastised his son. She heard his next remark and chuckled, oh she could just imagine the man plucking up a saddle to wear. She giggled alongside them and scratched Daisy on her nose before letting Hedrick explain how to give her a carrot. Palm flat, don't pop your fingers up or she'll get em. So Melia did as instructed and let out a small giggle as her flat tongue hit her palm. Daisy bumped Melia again, wanting another carrot. Hedrick did put up a good point, Melia creased her forehead. "It's.. It's not like that. I don't need to know what it's like. I just have to feel the pain and smooth out the creases...if that makes sense." She gave him a sheepish grin and then glanced past him at Albert. She would give it a miss as the man looked rather imposing.

Melia stumbled forward when Hedrick nudged her and was immediately caught by the stable master. She struggled to keep up with his long legs but tried her best. She opened her mouth to say hello or even give him her name but he continued to talk. She nearly bumped into his back when he stopped and kept her hands clasped before her. Snow lands pride. Oh Daisy. Melia smiled at the creature and nodded. Water the horses, prepare their feed and brush them. That sounded feasible. She nodded violently with every one of his instructions. Her small smile dropped when he said lessons. He made it sound like a disgusting word. She stumbled behind him as he stormed away. "Of course Sir." She stammered as they entered the stables. It was a tad quieter now. "I think after a few days, I am going to place a few horses in your care. You will make sure they are fed and have water, you will brush them and keep an eye on them. Understood." He said with a lazily look over at her. Melia violently nodded and he gestured widely to the first horse. A beautiful black stallion. "This is Edgared the Great. He is worth more than your entire family girl. Keep that in mind. Every single horse in here is worth more than you." Melia wanted to roll her eyes, she had been told that many times in her time here. "Beside Edgared we keep one of our matronly mares. She is about a month or two away from her due date. This is Pegasois." Melia peered around the door to see a beautiful chestnut brown horse. Her stomach was low and she was happily munching away at some fresh hay.

[Dark Pigeon]

Albert seemed to be the kind of man that was very proud of his work as the stable master. Truly one of the best jobs in the land, you never truly got Salvador's wrath .. until a horse got badly ill though. But Albert was good at his job, and there truly was nothing he did not know about horses. If Melia was to learn from anyone, it had to be from him. He never looked behind him to see of she was paying attention to what he was saying, that did not mean however that he did not notice one single thing she was doing. She seemed very eager to learn, and every single horse did not seem to mind her being there. Some wanted to sniff, one even showed her that he had a big pile of hay that was just his. "This one is midnight Yasmin. Our kings newest addition, truly a masterpiece if it comes to breeding horses. "He is a descended of one of the Wardens first horses that he had gifted to men." Albert said proudly.

Wardens, they were the first of any breed of animal. From the smallest ant to the biggest whale in the sea's. They were magical creatures that could shift in any form necessary. They would rarely change into humans, only so that their shape would not offend or scare humans off. . They were an elusive bunch that rarely showed themselves to humans. Only when their animals were in danger from over hunting, or being hunted out of their natural habitat they would show themselves, something that rarely ended well for the humans that brought destruction to any animal. But every now and then a warden would just want a drink, and find himself in a human settlement to drink and have a good conversation with those who joined them. Wardens however did not mind that their animals were hunted for food, it was only natural. Only the strongest survived, and the weakest were taken out, making it that their animals only could grow stronger.

He turned around, wanting to see if Melia was as impressed about the big stallion a she should be. When he saw that she was he smiled, this girl knew when she needed to be impressed, and when not to. "You can start by brushing Pegasois, after that I will have Jan join you when you will lead her to the meadow so she can graze a little. After that you will muck out her stable, throw in fresh bedding and new hay, and some new water. When you are done you will come and find me. Albert said before he slowly turned around. "Welcome to the stables Melia, I hope you will not disappoint me." He told her before he walked past her to get back to work himself.

[Scottie]

Her eyes lit up when she was brought to the new horse. Midnight Yasmin. He was beautiful. His eyes looked like they held a thousand lifetimes. Wardens. She had heard that before. She could remember small snippets of things, heard off men in the tavern. Those who wanted to show off their knowledge. Her eyes went wide as she realised that this was no ordinary horse. This was something special alright. A massive smile flooded over her features. She was in the presence of something magical and it uplifted her soul rather than squash it. She nearly didn't hear him but she snapped back to reality just in time. Pegasois. Right. The pregnant one. Brush. Take her out to the meadow. Muck out. Fresh bedding, hay and water. Then go find him. She nodded firmly. "Thank you." She said though he was already gone. She felt like a spare part for a moment as she lost herself in the splendour of the horse before her. But she felt a tap on her shoulder as Jan handed her a brush. He winked at her "Come on lass. I'll show you how to brush a horse like Peggie." He smirked and lead her to the horse.

Peggie was a horse like no other. She was as regal as Midnight but as friendly as Daisy. She wanted comforting attention and she wanted brushed a particular way. No other way was allowed. Jan showed Melia once and then left her to it. Melia hummed to herself as she brushed the horse, only getting flicked by her tail twice. She softly spoke to the horse and sang to it as she was careful around it's stomach. An hour easily passed and Jan returned to her. Melia had even plaited a few strands of her mane and was just giving the horse some loving attention when he arrived. "Right. Lets go." He set the horse up and handed her the reigns. He would walk with her, just incase things went sour. The meadow was like nothing she had seen before. It was entirely made up of grass and had more than enough space for her to run around. Melia let her into the pen and she dropped to her feet and ran a hand through the grass. The green was like nothing she had seen before. It was beautiful. It made her heart well up that none of her family would ever see such green. She barely been out there for a few minutes when she was reminded 'kindly' by Jan that she still had to muck out the stable.

She stuck her tongue out at him and marched off. He would watch the horse as she ran around, getting the fresh air and freedom she wanted. Mucking out the stable was a task and a half. How could one horse shit so much. Another half hour passed and all the shit was gone as well as the old hay and old bedding. Peggie was returned to her as she was plopping new bedding down. The horse was very happy with her new bedding and thumped Melia with her neck as she passed. Melia puffed some of her hair from her face and brought in some new hay and some water. It all took much longer than she had thought. Hay was heavy. Bedding was heavy. Even water was heavy. She managed to sneak a few carrots to the horse and let her have a little treat before heading to Albert. The man lazily glanced her over before heading to the stall. He did a thorough check much to Peggie's annoyance. Once he was pleased, he sent her off to brush Daisy.

Her night went faster than expected. She enjoyed spending time with the smaller white horse. She was called for by the men as they passed. They all ate at a small table outside of Hedrick's home. Tonight's meal was a simple stew. Benjamin had made something as fast as possible so he could be back with his wife. The men did not care and included Melia in their rude and dirty jokes. To their surprise, Melia kept up with their joking and even told her chicken joke to them. They laughed...Hm..Some people found it funny hmmm. She felt her body screaming at her for sleep as Hedrick shooed them away. She got Jan to haul her up the last rung of the ladder for her arms could do so little after her day. They all teased her and she pretended to storm off to her bedroom. Slamming her "door" and flopping onto her bed. She closed her eyes and went over her lesson that day. Drawing the letters out on her eyelids until sleep caught her.

[Dark Pigeon]

Days past quickly for Melia. Every single morning Vermin would come to take her to his small room for lessons, he was as friendly as he had been the first day, and quite like that day he would answer her one single question. All of them had been about Becky and how she had been doing. Not all that well, Vermin had told her. She had been in much pain, she cried a lot and had been afraid to get out of the bed. Fearing that she would run into something. Being in the eternal dark was something the poor woman could not get used to. Worst of all for her was that she had not been able to see her son Thomas anymore. She had him with her every single day, but as soon as she heard him laugh she would feel rather depressed, knowing that she would never see those chubby cheeks or his lovely blue eyes.

But.. Vermin had told her.. Becky had asked about Melia as well. That woman, after all she had been through desperately wanted to know if Melia herself was quite alright. She did not blame the woman about anything, she did not hold any grudges towards Melia or felt that she should have done things differently. The reason why Melia was not getting close to Becky was Benjamin though, he was afraid if the problems the girl would cause them and did not want her near the kitchen ever again. This being the reason why Vermin could not tell Melia to visit Becky, but he would bring over some news for both of them.. just so they could have communicate together.

Working at the stable had been hard. Never was Melia seen as a lesser worker, or did anyone think that with her being a woman she could do less. She was to brush the friendly horses, put them in the meadow and take care of their stables. When she was done in time she was to learn from Albert about taking care of horses, or allowed to read the story's Vermin had put on paper so that Melia could learn to read even faster. Much to Melia's surprise the small imp was quite the writher, and had been happy stories that had good and happy endings.

It was after 5 days, at the end of the week that Melia was to come to her king. Showing her progress in reading. She was groomed and brushed quite like the horses would be. And put in a normal looking but clean dress as the king did not want her there in her working clothes. They did not meet in the throne room, but in his grand and royal looking office where she would meet him. Vermin looked nervous and stopped Melia before she walked inside. He made sure that her dress was on straight and that her hair was in place before he knocked on the large heavy door. "Enter" Salvador called, after which Vermin did his best to push open the heavy door. Salvador stood by the window while his staff was at the door. Vermin closed the door and left Melia with Salvador, hoping that she would make herself and him proud.

Salvador slowly turned around and leaned against the windowsill before crossing his arms over his chest. The room in which they stood was filled with books. The entire walls were covered by large bookcases that could hardly contain every single book standing inside them. Even his desk was a mess, but as he called it.. organized chaos. "Today will be going differently than expected. You will be reading for me. From what I heard from Vermin you are doing rather well, but I will be the judge of that" he told her as he placed his hands on the windowsill, he seemed a bit nervous, as if something was bugging him that he had no control over. He walked towards her and picked up a book from the large pile. It was a children book, one meant for children to learn to read from. It should be something Melia could at least read a few sentences from without looking to much like a fool. "First page, go on.. show me what you can do"

[Scottie]

She had even ducked down so that Vermin could fix the stray strand of hair. She didn't want him to suffer for her mistakes. So she straightened her dress again at his frantic request and wandered into the room. Her eyes grew wide and she lost herself in that room. Every single inch was covered in books. Instinctively she searched out for a deep green cover, seeing if there were any similar to the one she had stashed away. Her neck throbbed gently until he spoke. Her eyes snapped back to him and she dropped her gaze. She couldn't contain the small smile when he said that Vermin had told him she was doing well. She could nearly glow with pride. Melia dragged her eyes up to him and blinked slowly when she watched him nervously fidget. Why was he nervous? Was he worried that she had told someone their secret? She stopped herself from taking a small step back when he came closer. She laid her hand out for the book and couldn't take her eyes off his face. She had dreamt about it every night, the warmth in those green eyes...she could swear that she had never seen it before...herself. Melia kept replaying their kiss and her cheeks always burned when she thought about it.

Her cheeks prickled with pink when she held the book in her hands. Her eyes flicked over the title before opening the first page. She blinked slowly and took in a deep breath. The first sentence was perfect. Yes...okay. It was "Once upon a time, in a far off kingdom." But it was perfect. She stumbled a few times, not quite pronouncing a word right. But she stopped herself, took in a small breath and tried again. Her finger hovered over each word as she read. She struggled on a few words and chewed at her bottom lip as she sounded it out. But she continued, her words gentle with a small sing song hint to them. She came to the end of the page and dragged her eyes up to him. It was a story of magic and far off princes, of love and adventure and pirates. "May I? Just the next page." Only when he nodded, would she continue. She lost herself in the story and even giggled when the main character called the prince a land lubber who wore too many fancy hats. A smile blossomed over her cheeks and she could picture it before her. A place where sand got everywhere. Where heat burned into your skin. A man born of dry death and a woman who lived on the water. A woman who controlled any man that she wished. She chewed at her bottom lip as she read over the last paragraph aloud and then again in her mind. She flicked back to the cover and gently mouthed the title to herself. She made a mental note and slowly raised her eyes to him, "Another?" She asked him, fear that had been battering at her chest slowly dropped back to it's normal place. She felt comfortable in this room, she felt like she had read this story again and that she had once loved it. She wanted to keep reading, she wanted to find out what happened when that land lubber got onto the open water.

[Dark Pigeon]

He had wandered around the room and even looked out the window when she was reading. His eyes landed on the large oak that stood before the stables. He had seen how the green was slowly changing, he had even heard that some trees in the city were starting to bare red leafs.. A bad sign, a very bad sign indeed. He looked up as she made a mistake, but as she corrected herself and kept reading he did not mention it. He just let her do what she was doing, and as she asked if she could read another page he nodded. He knew this story by heart, as a young boy it had been one of his most favorite books and he had read it many times. He knew exactly which mistakes she made, what words she had mispronounced and what sentences she had mucked up, even just a little. But she showed him something he wanted to see, progress, the will to learn... and far more important, she seemed to like to read.

"You can stop now" He told her as she asked of she could read the next paragraph. He saw how she pouted, and how badly she hid it as she tried her best to do so. Now she would not know what was to happen next. She gave the reaction he wanted to see, that look that he had himself.. that drive to keep reading until you finished the book entirely. "I see that Vermin still has the ability to teach a monkey a new trick." He said as he turned around so he could face her again. "Pretty little monkey though, one that seems to have a brain in that silly little head of hers. I am surprised to see that one with a body like that, has a useful brain after all" he watched her like a hawk as she stood there holding the book in her hand. "I have been talking to our stable master. It seems that you have found your way over there. The horses do not seem to mind that you are there, but then again. One can make friends with horses rather quickly if they are to sneak carrots towards them without Albert noticing" He smiled and tutted towards Melia as he walked up to her. IF he had not been a lover of the equine breed, he would have had a fit. But someone that sneaked carrots to his horses, who talked in a suiting voice. That did put you on Salvador's good side, and there is where Melia was at this very moment. He held out his hand to take the book back from her, he would not let her have it. No book in the world would be ending up in a stable if he had a say in it. "Don't think he does not notice anything girl, the man knows and sees everything. But I have allowed it.. so he will not hold it against you."

He slowly walked back to his desk and placed the book back where he got it from. "I am content with your overal progress. You can read quite well, especially for someone that has been reading for just five days. And you have not caused any problems as to late." He patted the book as he had put it back in its spot. He looked outside again, his hand still on the book as he took a moment of silence before turning around to look at Melia again. "Today you will be entertaining me." He grew that devilish smile again as he walked around his desk to open a drawer. He took out a blindfold and held it up as he held it with two fingers. "First, you will put this on." He told her as he walked up to her, the blindfold slowly being wrapped around his hand as he kept his green eyes fixated on her "Now.. turn around"

As she complied to his wishes for her to turn around, he came to stand right up against her. His face next to hers as he brushed his cold fingers over the sleeves of her dress. "I want you to touch something for me. Its hard, big, has quite the mind of his own" He said, as his fingers trailed down her arm towards her waist. He pushed her pelvis against his and let out a soft moan "And so many others wish to have it, to feel is power, to wield it. Just by touching it you will sense something you have never felt before" He said whispering, his lips nearly brushing against her ear. His free hand gestured for something to come towards them both. The staff complied and placed itself right before Melia "I want you to touch my staff, go on.. hold it"

[Scottie]

Her smile harshly dropped and she stared back down at the last paragraph. She wanted to know what happened, her bottom lip stuck out gently as she slowly closed the cover. Running her fingertips over the cover, following the gentle gold pattern that lay in its cover. Her eyes flicked back up and she had to stop her scowl as he called a monkey. One eyebrow cocked as he called her pretty. Her jaw tensed but she kept the neutral look on her face. She feared the reaction that could come if she scowled at him. Albert. She hoped that the man gave her a good report. A small smirk tugged at her lips, she loved feeding the horses the stray carrot when Albert wasn't paying attention. She placed the book back into his hand but oh how she wanted to keep it. She wanted to hide it under her pillow and read it every morning. Her eyebrows shot up, Albert knew. She would have to be sneakier now. "Noted." She said softly, watching him wander back to his desk.

Melia moved her hands to clasping behind her back. She would admit to anyone that asked that she was rather proud of herself when he said he was content. She had done her lessons, helped in the stables and not caused any problems. She nodded gently and waited for her cue to leave. But he stayed still, his eyes out the window. His words struck her like a bolt of lightening, as did his devilish smile. Her smile faded as her hands clenched into fists behind her back. A dark material was pulled from a drawer. Put it on. What was it. She had no clue, she hoped it wasn't small slinky thing that he wanted her in. Not here. Please not here. Not now. It was only when he wrapped it around his fingers that she figured it out to be a blindfold. Her eyes went wide and before she could protest, the material was in her hands. She gave him a concerned final look before raising the blindfold high and tying it around her eyes. Turn around.

Every sense was heightened. She could hear him move around her, she could smell the cologne that was dotted on his neck. She could even hear the movement of others behind the door. She stopped herself from flinching when his fingers brushed the sleeves of her dress. The noise rustled to her ears and her cheeks burned a bright red. Touch. She wanted to move away, dread plummeting to her stomach. She didn't want this, he had already taken her first kiss....now this. Melia felt his touch travel to her waist and she let out a soft yelp when her hips pressed against his. The sound of him moaning brushed her ear and she trembled against him. Both out of fear....and something else. Cold flooded through her neck. She knew with his second sentence that it was probably not what she had first thought. How many people in the village would want that...None of them. She shuddered when his lips floated closer to her ear. She could feel his breath against her skin, the warmth of his skin pressed against hers. She wanted to brush her fingers over his arms but she knew better than to touch him.

Staff. Oh hell no. That thing had a mind of it's own. She wanted to timidly protest but knew the punishment that could come if she did. So Melia raised her fingertips, she could sense the very air buzzing with energy. Her fingertips gently brushed the staff and she snapped her fingers back. At least it was the actual staff and not some crude joke he was making. Her neck continued to flood ice cold jabs through her body. So she moved her fingers closer again, she could even feel a faint crackling coming from the staff as her fingers brushed it. It was like a static shock. Slowly, she moved her hand to holding the staff. Electricity flooded through her and her eyes went wide, even under the blindfold. She let out a loud gasp but didn't let go of the staff. It was painful, but bearable. She closed her eyes, letting out a long breath before releasing the staff. Melia felt the electricity leave her body and she took a small stumbling step back and shook her hand. She winced through her teeth until her bum hit the floor. Her feet betraying her as she tripped. Melia waited a moment to settle her mind before pushing herself back up to her feet. She raised her hand again, hovering it gently in the air towards where she thought the staff was. "S...Should I do that a..again?" She asked him, her voice small like she hoped that he would refuse.

[Dark Pigeon]

He slowly moved away from Melia as her fingers searched for the staff that stood right before her. Salvador moved around like a cat cornering his pray, he would enjoy this.. he always did. He had made people touch the royal looking staff before, only so he could enjoy watching those who dared touching it suffer. Men and women alike would become violently ill as they only brushed against it. Only to stay away from the staff as far away possible as they could. He had watched men and women beg for death as they were forced to hold it. There was nothing as painful, nothing as violent aggressive when hold by anyone else but Salvador, quite like the staff in this very country.

He had thought that Melia would have the same reaction. That she would vomit up everything in her body, how fluids woud come out of every single opening in her body. She would squirm over the floor thinking she was to die a horrible slow death. But seeing that the staff had proven a couple of times that he liked her, and how it wished for her to be more comfortable, Salvador needed to determine how far the staff would go. Needles to say he was very surprised, his eyes grew wide as he watched her hold the staff without to much discomfort. It was hurting her, but it was being extremely polite about it. Seeing the history of the staff, and its relationship regarding towards Salvador.. this truly was a very unique situation. He watched her as she could close her fingers around the stafff, Salvador could sense how it was telling her to let go.. but nicely. A smile grew on Salvador's face as he walked up closer to her, wanting to see her reaction until she would let go of the magical object. Only when she let go, and tried to give the Staff some personal space she dropped to the floor. Salvador rolled his eyes and snarled at her, fucking hell.. she could not even stand on her own damn feet! He did not help her getting back up, instead he just walked around frustrated while she got back up on her feet. "Yes" He told her as he gestured her to hurry up, only to realize that she could not see him. "Tell me what it does, what you feel. I want to know everything. Try to lift it up, try to bring it from one hand to another." He told her as he sounded restless, he wanted to know these things, why wasn't she doing this already!

When she complied and held the staff again it was a little bit more straight forward. It did not want her to hold him, but it would not truly hurt her like he would with normal people. As she tried to lift it, it felt as if she was trying to lift up the entire castle all on itself. It would not move, not a fucking inch and even got a little frustrated with her as she kept trying. As Melia would keep trying, only so that Salvador would be pleased with her efforts the staff was getting enough with her. She could feel how something small, almost needle like poked her in her finger, and another, and another until she would let go. It would only make the smallest of wounds, one that was hardly bleeding. But enough was enough, or so staff would try to tell her.

[Scottie]

Her stomach flipped when he ordered her to touch it again. Her fingers brushed out again, hovering before the staff. She hadn't even touched it yet and she could feel it. "It's buzzing." She said softly, her fingertips touched the staff and she took in a small sharp breath. "It feels like...when you touch metal...and you feel that snap of something." The buzzing continued through her body, "I feel it throughout my body....but it stings my neck. Cold is trickling over my neck." She tried to do as he asked and move it from hand to hand but it wouldn't budge. "It's too heavy..." She said pitifully. Her fingers dragged up the staff and felt the electric hum hit her stomach. She reached the crest of the staff and ran her thumb over the runes that littered the top of it. She could picture the shape of the staff even though darkness flooded her vision. She tried to pull it to her other hand again and failed.

Melia raised her other hand to the staff and ran that thumb over the runes again. Some of them had seemed so familiar. "It doesn't want me holding it does it?" She asked quietly. "I...I don't think it wants to harm me...but..." She winced gently as something pricked her finger. Her right hand started to tingle and she dropped her other hand. "I...It pricked me...Like a needle or..." Another prick on her forefinger and she waited for him to allow her to drop the staff. Another prick and then another. She couldn't hold it any longer, so she let go. Cradling her hand with her others. She could feel something trickle down her finger and slide into her palm. She held her hand tightly, she didn't want to drop any blood onto his carpet. The staff returned to happily buzz at her. "He prefers that." She let a small smile drift onto her lips. She didn't know why she called it a he, it just felt like it. "I think I've been cut." She turned her head trying to source him. "Only a little..." She kept her hand cradled close to her stomach as she tried to pin point his breathing.

[Dark Pigeon]

Salvador listened to Melia as she had her fingers around the staff again. To her talk so calmly, explaining to him what the staff was doing, truly was one of the most exiting things for him to hear. He knew better than anyone what that staff truly was, and did not fear for a second that she could use it against him or take it away. He had walked up to her, standing almost nose to nose with Melia as she was getting those painful needles jammed into her finger by the staff. He could see the blood forming on her hand, and as she finally let go he gently took the staff in his own hands. The entire room felt as if it was being filled with this calming sensation, now that the staff knew that he would not be messed around with anymore it calmed down and relaxed inside the hand of Salvador. "This truly is fascinating" He told her as he placed the staff back to its original spot. It seemed to like be standing in that corner and calmed down more and more now that it knew that playtime was over.

He took Melia's hand in his and looked at the small droplets of blood that had formed in her hand. He inspected them before his finger moved over to the blindfold which he gently removed from her eyes by letting it rest on her forehead. "Not a cut, just a needle sting, don't be such a child." He told her as he gestured to her bleeding hand. What a drama-queen, really.. cut in her hand. Lord! He would cut her hand and show her wat a true cut was! He could, he even turned around to look at her as he thought of doing so. Just a lesson really, in pain. But he had other plans, him cutting open her hand would only add so much more drama into his life that he just did not need right now. "Come on, clean your hand. There is more to do for us than you to whine over your sorry little hands" he said as he walked around the room to glance through the window one more time before he sat down against the windowsill. People in pain always needed time, always needed to clean things up and make sure they were not dying.. dear lord! Did she not understand the greatness of what had happened?! "Does your sorry little brain able to comprehend as to what you have done? You touched one of the most powerful magical tools in the world.. and all you had to show for it was a few needle stings in your hand. This is remarcable, truly a miracle. Nobody but me is able to wield it without getting hurt. While others will grow violently ill, I have seen men and women dying when they tried to wield it. Die! little one."

He walked up to her and roughly pushed her head up so she could look him in the eyes. He glared into hers, almost searching for something "Why though, who are you... why are you able to do this.. and get away with it? " He looked up at his staff and pushed her head towards it so she had to look at it as well. "What is it that your soul tells you about this? Do you fear it? Do you feel something.. go on.. tell me."

[Scottie]

Calm radiated through her body when the room grew warmer. She knew he had done something but she could't figure out what. His voice was closer than expected and she frowned, what was fascinating. She did as she was told. She hadn't done anything wrong. She felt him take her hand and wanted to snatch it back. She felt the blindfold tugged up onto her forehead. Her eyes snapped to him, the sudden light made him look almost angelic. His deep green eyes were down on her hand and she slowly dropped her eyes to look at the damage. It was nothing really. It was a small needle sting. She tilted her head and let out a small sigh as it wasn't as bad as she had first thought. She could have whimpered when he let go of her hand. She felt a warmth like nothing else when he touched her skin. She flicked her eyes to him when he poked fun at her. The cut was easily dealt with and the blood was rubbed off on the inside of her pocket. She surveyed the minuscule scar and placed her hands behind her.

Sorry little brain. Dear lord he was in an insulty mood today. She dragged her eyes to the staff and watched it as he spoke. People had died holding it. Grown violently ill.....and he let her touch it. She flicked her eyes back when he came closer and she felt him harshly push her head back. The glare that filled her grey eyes would tell even a simple man that she was annoyed. "I don't know. You tell me." Her words as harsh as her gaze. She hated that he held her head like a doll. Pointing her gaze towards the staff. "I..I don't know." She felt him push her head again and she wanted to lash out at him. "I don't fear it. Even having seen the horrors it can do. It fills me with a curiosity and awe like nothing else." Her words gently as she watched the staff. "I recognise it. I recognised it the first day I came here. I'd seen it before. " Melia took a small step closer to it, her eyes tracing the details of the staff. "I know the placements of the runes, I could have sworn I felt the buzz before. The one I feel through my soul when I get too close to it. Like a friendly warning." Her forehead crinkled as she watched it. "It's a powerful weapon...but its more than that.....It's something else."

Melia turned her gaze against his hand to look at him again, her eyes burying into the greens of his pupils. "It could bring the end of this world, it nearly brought the end of your world didn't it?" Her gaze remained on him, following the swirls of green in his eyes. She could feel it in her gut, that something was just a tad off about the staff. "I...Seeing it in that room...The forbidden room...it felt wrong. Like it shouldn't be there...it had never been before...not when...." Her forehead creased and she returned her gaze to the staff. "It...It fills me with such curiosity...but I feel angry....just a smidge...Like it's responsible for something." Her neck prickled with heat and Melia raised a hand slowly to touch her neck.

[Dark Pigeon]

Salvador grew a little bit inpatient with her as he hated it that she told him that she did not know. He hated it, he hated everything about those tree simple words I.. don't.. know. "The horrors it can do, yes. But mostly it does as I wish for it, it knows many secrets and holds even more. It holds no other master but me, and never has anyone other than myself wield it. When I die, I will return to it, and it to me. We are connected in ways your sorry little brain can not even comprehend." He watched her as she walked closer to the staff so she could see those runes. It already started to buzz gently, just letting her know that he did not want to play anymore. Salvador frowned as she stated that she had seen it before, it could have been... but it had to be after his family was taken away from him.

The staff lit up the runes that Melia was looking at, showing her them to her without her having to get closer to it. Still it let of that small buzz, but it wanted her to see clearly what she was looking at. It did not mind her reading the runes, he knew that she could not do anything with it nor would she ever be able to do so. With all the knowledge she could gather in this lifetime, it would still be only a small prentice of what was needed to fully comprehend what it all truly meant, what it all meant. Salvador was leaning up against his desk, why he was discussing this with this girl he did not know. But the staff seemed to have reasons not to hurt her, it had even protected her.. but why? He was a curious man, and if he wanted to know anything he would do everything to gain that knowledge, even talking to a lowly girl like Melia. "It is something else alright indeed. Something that your sorry little brain will never truly understand, only a selected few in this world know the true extend of its power, of mine. Quite like the staff there are other weapons out there quite like it. Weapons that can create live and destroy the very fabric of existence. Every single one unique, and only to be wielded by the very same person. Life after life after life.

He looked a bit distracted as she looked him into his eyes. He had seen that look before, it was not fear.. she liked looking into them. But there was this.. search, this.. longing. As if she was searching for something that was no longer there, as if she knew that something was missing. "Yes, it could destroy this world but why would one? If you can wield the staff, it means you life on that damn world. Why destroy it.. if you can rule it?" He asked her, finding it silly of her to mention something like that, even as he had done so just moments ago. He walked up to her as she stated that it had never been in the forbidden room before, now when the young prince was still alive. That was interesting, seeing that it was true.. and only those who were alive back then had known about this. "yes, that is correct. It had never been in that room until .. " he did not say it, instead he roughly tugged the blindfold from her head, taking out a few hairs that had been stuck in the knot she had made. He slowly started to take that knot of and glanced up to his staff every now and then as he walked around his office. "That staff has been responsible for a great many things. It's a very temperamental weapon."

Salvador noticed her touching that spot in her neck again. He had just taken out the knot in the blindfold and watched her. "No, if anything.. it showed me the truth about this world. The staff has nothing to do with the destruction of my family. For that I hold someone else responsible. That staff.. " he said as he gestured towards it, his love for it becoming clear as he looked at it with such fascination and care. "Will be the end of the world as you know it, and from its ashes a better world will be created. But for that, for that I need more time.. and then my dear, if you survive.. you will see why I have started this war. And you will agree with me that everything I have done was worth it"

[Scottie]

Melia did not doubt him when he said it could cause horrors, she had seen it first hand. Sorry little brain. Gods he was being an arse today. She felt the buzz and she stopped, it was almost like when a cat hissed at you. The staff lit up as did her eyes. Curiosity filled her body as it spun to show her all the runes atop it's crest. "It's like me right?" She asked quietly. "It has parts of other people in it. Their memories." She tried to explain what it felt like. "It's like a past you....but in staff form." Her head tilted as she watched the staff before returning her eyes to Salvador. She fixed her eyes on him and raised an eyebrow. "There are those I think...that would see the world burn...when their own is gone." She tried to word it correctly but stopped as he got closer. She knew it hadn't there, she could just tell. She let out a soft yelp when he tugged the blindfold from her head. It was odd to watch him do something as simple as untying a knot himself. "It's like a person isn't it?" She asked gently, watching his back as he moved away from her.


She shook her head at his words, her words mouth gently as she turned her eyes back to the staff. "That's not right." She had that gut feeling that it held at least a part in it. Curiosity tugged at the corners of her mind when he told her, he blamed another. Who? She rolled her shoulders back and stared at the staff. "I know that. Just as I have that feeling that it would not the first time." Melia returned her gaze back to him. "There must be many people wanting such a weapon.... Those that will do anything to get it..." Her words trailed off and her hand returned to her neck. Something was tugging on her mind gently but she couldn't place it. "If the world that will return is anything like that Meadow...then I would happily fade into ashes for another to have a glimpse at it." She flicked her eyes to the window and moved her hands behind her. She gently rocked herself on her heels. Waiting for the next instruction, she wanted to go back to her room now. To sneak a carrot to Daisy, have dinner with the men and sleep with the small trilling of the horses beneath her. She could vaguely see green from here, the tree was slowly shedding leaves.

[Dark Pigeon]

Salvador was still fidgeting with the blindfold, removing some of her hair and bits of fluff that got stuck to the fabrick while Melia spoke. He rose his eyebrow and let out a small mocking laugh. "You are nothing like that staff dear monkey. Not a soul in the world that would cause a war because of you, in the greater scheme of things you are absolutely worthless.. But this staff, there is nothing as valuable like it. But if you put it like that, yes. It holds memories, knowledge, of many, many lives." He flipped a piece of lint from the blindfold and inspected the piece of fabric, all while listening to Melia trying to understand what was what, and how things worked. He walked up to her again, even with the little brain power she had she seemed to have a nice understanding of what the staff truly was. "One could say that yes, as if it has a soul. Or just a part of it" Salvador told Melia as he looked over the staff together with her. HIs hands were behind his back, rolling up the fabric of the blindfold between his fingers and then unrolling it. He said nothing first as she stated that there were those that wanted to see the world burn, only because they had lost their own. "I have not lost my world, only my interest for it" He told her truthfully, which felt strangely like he had lost a bit of the heavy weight that rested on his shoulders. When she said that it was like a person he only nodded. "Yes, and does seem to like you indeed. Why I do not know. And only because my staff reacts to you differently than other people, is the reason why you are still alive."


He let out a small little bored sigh and tapped his foot on the ground "They will destroy everything in their path to get what they want. Only to meet my wrath tenfold. I will destroy them before they get to me, I will get what I want, and will do everything to get it done" He gestured towards the staff, as soon as he did it came flying up to him and rested gently against the palm of his hand. Salvador gently stroke it, and seemed to be happy that his staff was with him. "My staff things the very same thing, even he wants it revenge on what has been done to it. Hiding it away, not allowing it to roam freely as to where it wants to be.. that poor thing" He looked down at Melia and pouted. "now.. enough about this. We are going to play a game" He said as he showed her that blindfold again. He smirked as she seemed to grow a bit distressed by the idea that she had to wear it again. Had she not already showed him that the staff did not want her to touch it? "We are going for a walk, and you are going to lead me... now.. turn around little maggot" He asked her as he grinned from ear to ear as he put the blindfold on her, his body pressed close against hers as he was breathing down her neck. "You are going to walk down that hallway, and have your instinct guide you. Walk in any direction, tell me why you want to go there.. and what you expect to find here" He told her as he brushed his hand over her arms. "Careful, if you lead me to my chambers, I will be taking more from you than your first kiss"

[Scottie]

She disregarded his insult again, she cared little for what he thought of her. It held many lives. That sounded correct. She raised an eyebrow as he said his interest had gone in the world. Oh how she wanted to snap at him, that his wife and child were not his world but merely an interest. But she refrained. Melia did feel a small sense of pride that the staff reacted differently to her and she was grateful that it had saved her life more than once now. The air picked up beside her as the staff returned to its owner. He seemed to treat it like he did his horses, with care and attention. It wants to roam freely. That sparked another tug of curiosity in her mind. But ....a game... She saw the blindfold and her forehead creased. She had already done everything that he asked. Could she just not return to the stables....please. A walk..lead...She slowly turned around and felt fear grip her throat as the blindfold was lowered down over her eyes.

She could feel him pressed up against her and his breath brushing her skin. She trembled gently and tried to nod. She had to let her instincts guide her...she could do. She felt his fingers brush her arms and then her stomach dropped to her feet. His chambers...She felt her bottom lip wobble. She heard the door open and felt the firm push in the square of her back. She stumbled forward and raised her hands before her. She waited a moment and felt a tug in her stomach. If she had been in his study....then she needed to take a right. One hand gently hovered over the closest wall as she stumbled forward. Down one set of stairs and then around another corner, the air hit her like a cold chill. "This is the forbidden corridor." She said turning her head back to him, even though she couldn't see him. She was correct, she was now in the forbidden corridor. She let out another deep breath and slowly padded forward. Her fingers tapped gently over each door as she murmured gently to herself. She stopped before a heavily carved door. "This is his room." She let her fingertips land on what she perceived to be a small bird and waited a moment before continuing. Another tug in her stomach and she frowned. "I've been down here before...it feels familiar. It wants me to continue on." Her words stumbled just as her feet did.


Melia continued to wander and then stopped abruptly. Taking a small step back, she turned to face a door. "I used to go in here...It smells like...f..flowers...like fresh grass...it's warm and comfort." Her fingers brushed the painted door gently. "But I...I didn't come here first...I started elsewhere....This was second." Her head turned around her as if she was searching for a trail that only she could feel. "This way." Her voice quiet as it tugged her forward. Her hand snapped up to her neck as it burned, "It hurts....Like it's burning....It's annoyed I don't remember." Her forehead furrowed and she remained still for a moment. "Twelve steps." She repeated it again. "Twelve steps. From here to where I...she started." So Melia counted them out softly to herself, each step a regular sized step until she reached another door. She raised her fingers to the heavy door. "This was the beginning." She said glancing back at him, though she still couldn't see. "Each day...Here...then the other room....then to his room. The routine. It's burned into my mind." She said softly before returning her eyes to the door before her. "This must be the maid's chambers or....maybe a nanny or something." Her fingers brushing over the carvings on the door.

[Dark Pigeon]

Salvador had pushed her out of the room and followed her with an entertained smile spread across his face while his staff followed by floating through the air behind him. Salvador truly had thought that this was to prove that she did not know the castle as well she thought she did, and boy had he something in store for her!. To watch her run into walls and hurt herself, to stumble up or down some stairs, anything really that would hurt her, was to be entertaining to him. Guards made sure that they were not in the way, maids went aside as they past them. Not a soul bothered both Melia or Salvador as they had their little quest through the castle. The entertainment value changed over time though, the more they walked the more it became clear that she was not going to hurt herself anytime soon. Hell, she did not walk into walls, she seemed to know where the steps were of the stairs, she stopped right before a door and turned the right way, she even seemed to know the short cuts. Instead he became curious as to where she would bring him.

His smile had -again- dropped, and -again- had she made him curious about him. He looked up at the door that hid the room that used to be his boys bedroom. He was in awe, he truly did not know what to say as they stood there. He gently ran his fingers over the paint that was fading away, how the baby blue was chipping from the thick wooden doors. As he felt slightly confused when she started to walk again, he felt conflicted as if he was to follow. Truth be told, if she had entered that room he would have beaten the living daylight out of her. He followed Melia as she started to walk again, down the hallway, sharp turn, up, down, left, right. He took in a sharp breath as he looked at the next door, he had not looked at it for many years as it would only bring him sorrow. To glance at those doors, that little bird that was carved into them.. it made him want to scream over the top of his lungs. His wives powerroom. Every single dress she owned, all the jewelry, all her makeup, scented oils, brushes, and hairpins. Every single item still laid in that room, untouched and never visited by the great king. Could it be? Was she one of his wives maids, a handmaiden perhaps?!? If she was, she.. she had know this remarkable woman, this.. perfect creature. And yet, she had forgotten everything about her. He said nothing, he followed her though his mind was racing and he wasn't liking the game all that much anymore. He knew that he could not visit that room, and he was fearing for what was to be discovered next by Melia. They went further into the castle, getting closer to the several other rooms that were forbidden for her, for every single living creature under the sun. He was still following, but this time he held his staff tightly, trying to get some comfort from it as he did not want to know what his girl was to dig up next.

The next room truly wasn't going to make him feel any better. He glanced up those tall wooden doors, both engraved with birds, butterfly's, flowers and trees. The woodcarver had to be a mage, as such detail that had been put in his work seemed impossible to be done by hand. Salvador had seen these doors so many times, every single evening, and every single morning. Behind these doors was where he wasn't a king but a husband. Behind those doors he did not need to worry about his country, about his subjects.. about anything. He pushed Melia aside as she brushed her fingers over the woodwork. Not because he did not want her there, but because he wanted to do something he had not done in a very long time. He took in a deep breath and pushed open those heavy doors, dust flew towards them right away as they were greeted by a soft light coming from the royal bedroom, the room that he had shared with his wife, and which he had left after she had died.

Nothing had been touched after Salvador had closed the door for good, or so he had thought. Not a single piece of furniture was hidden under a white blanket, nothing was set out of place. The room was absolutely breathtaking, floral wallpaper in deep green and golden color decorated the walls, the heavy looking bed stood in the middle of the room had thick golden brown curtains all alongside of it. There were two heavy dark read chairs, both positioned before the fireplace where Salvador and his wife would read their books before they would join each other in bed. Salvador slowly walked into the room and stopped as he stood in the middle. Everything was covered in cobwebs and dust. He looked behind him to see what Melia was doing and slowly turned around. "Step inside.. tell me what you feel before you take of the blindfold.. remember, touch anything.. and I will make you regret it for the rest of your life"

[Scottie]

A small flower was underneath her fingertips, she knew that. He harshly pushed her aside and she managed to keep herself standing. The door opened and she listened to him enter the room.She heard his request and took a small step inside. It was dusty, like it would make her sneeze if they stayed there any longer. His threat made her gulp gently. Her fingers raised up to the sky, feeling heat from the sun and she smiled sweetly. "I can remember lying in the sunshine. The window is slopped...just enough to welcome the light in." Her fingers floated through the room and sighed deeply. "The walls....they are like your eyes...but two shades darker. T...there is a painting there...that is my favourite." She pointed to a faded flower, it's golden leaves sparkled in the sunlight. She took a small step forward, her stomach did a small flip and she wrinkled her nose. "Fire....There is a fireplace here. Strawberries...I can remember sneaking strawberries from a kitchen....the warmth of the fire on my face...the sweetness of the berries." Her fingers raised up and she brushed her lip gently. This couldn't be the right place. It didn't seem like it was suited for her.

"I can remember reading here...." Her fingers pointed to heavy dark red reading chairs. "Losing myself in another world....I...." Her words trailed off, she didn't want to air her next thought. The feeling of having another there with her, a child in her lap. Reading her story for another hear. She still hadn't taken off the blindfold when she dropped her hands to her sides. "I feel safe here. I don't feel any fear. Nothing bad happened here. Love...laughter...warmth..." She felt sadness well up in her chest as she slowly tugged the blindfold from her eyes. The light sparkled in her eyes and she froze. She was staring at a grand regal bed. The wood had been carved beautifully, the bed covers were richer than any other material she had seen before. She tilted her head and then frowned. "The pillows are on wrong....." Her words trailing off as she tilted her head. "That one..It was only pulled close when...No..." She trailed off and returned her gaze to travelling around the room. She saw the flower she had thought of, the heavy reading chairs. It looked perfect, the only additions were dust and a stale smell.

Melia raised her eyes up and let her mouth hang open when she saw the crystal hanging above her head. "That is beautiful....Sunlight dances through it." Her words gentle as she was truly in awe of this entire room. "I don't feel anything horrible. My neck isn't freezing or burning....It's soothing being here." Melia smiled sweetly and dragged her eyes back to the bed. "Was this room something else before it became this?" She asked him curiously. Moving a step closer to the bed but not touching it. "For I remember lying in a bed....someone else was there.." She scowled gently at the bed. She could feel someones arms around her, she felt safe and she felt so very loved. It prickled at her eyes, a feeling that she truly longed for. "Were there others staying here?" She let her eyes flick back to him, her grip tight on the blindfold in her fist. This room was far too regal for a maid, regardless of how important she was to a family. Perhaps before this room...servant quarters had been here...or below here...But even the scent of the room, the faint smell of flowers and pine was familiar.

[Dark Pigeon]

He had turned around and stood there as the royal pain that he truly was, wanting to hear and see what Melia was to tell him about this particular room. He feared that she had been here before, not in another live time.. but her snooping around like the little rat that she was. But still, she knew names, she knew little facts that only he now remembered. It was just enough to keep him from lashing out at her when she started to tell him details of the room that only he now knew. He had not been here for a very long time, even for him the room looked as if he had never been there before. He remembered some memories now, only because Melia pointed them out. Reading by the fire, how his eyes had almost the same color as the walls. She knew exactly where the flower was, that lovely golden one that she told him she had loved in a past life before. He knew that flower, and he was taken aback as she so easily described it to him. It brought a healthy dose of fear into his heart, fear that this woman had been someone before that he had known. Someone that knew that he had been a very decent king in the past, one that did not rule his country with fear, but by the soul motto "A king's goal in life is to serve his people and country", which was taught to him by his father.

Salvador followed her finger, how it pointed out the fireplace and the two heavy red chairs that stood there. He had loved those chairs and he had read many a book in them. They were the only seats that he did not need to be a king, rule a country, sort out problems or be the one to make the hard decisions that needed to be made. In here he was that same dorky man, with his love for books, the science of magic, and his darling wife that could still beat up everyone that was a dick. Salvador, he always sat on the right, the woman he had loved dearly.. she always took the one on the left. The fire was always burning slowly, casting a warmt into the room and this wonderful warm light that they used to read with. So many books they had devoured together, and so many countless hours they had spend sitting in front of that fire in utter silence. Only the sound of the fire, and the flipping of pages as they both read. The strawberries, his stomach hit the floor hard enough to cause him to feel sick. He knew someone who had sneaked in strawberries. It had been her favorite kind of fruit. She always got exited when they came back into season, she would always try to find out where the strawberries' would be ripe at its earliest. He could so clearly hear the laughter coming from the hallways as this lovely vision would come running up to him, her hair flowing behind her, her eyes sparkling as she had again tormented that poor cook. Salvador would open and close the door for her, trying to keep the invaders out as they would munch on the strawberries' together. He shook his head, anger and confusion on his features as he held his staff in a tight grip. The large object could feel the pain in its master and only true friend, and slowly started to cast some warmt into the room, why was he not seeing it! Why was he being so blind, so.. headstrong. Wasn't this clear as fucking daylight? But no, if it was up to Salvador, it could not be her. It was impossible. It had to be a maid that would sneak out strawberries for the woman he loved, it could not be anything else but that. Her next words did not even register with him, he was so full of denial that this woman could be something else but a maid, that his brain did not want to listen to anything she had to say.

Only when she removed her blindfold he would look up again. He looked like a man that was being attacked, his anger growing as was his curiosity as to who this girl was... such denial... "Everyone used to be safe here. After.. it changed. I did not want to be remembered by what I had, and what I have lost that I took my rage and filled this castle with it. Everyone that dared thinking about them, talk, try to remember me of how it used to be. How it should be.. I killed every single one of them, and I will do so again" He told her, though even he wasn't so sure if he had done right by taking so many lives. He was slowly being drained, he was loosing a war. And soon, he might loose his change to end the rein of some kings and mages that needed to be destroyed, or so Salvador strongly believed. He looked up with her at the crystals hanging above them. He walked up closer to the girl and stared up with her, watching the light hit the crystals.. how they sparkled and casted little silver lights through the room. "No, it always has been what it is now. Many a king have slept here with their queens. " He said as he kept his eyes on those lights, it made him feel.. strangely relaxed. This room always had been his place to relax, to be himself and to stop worrying about everything that had been going on. That powerful sensation still worked, as he had dropped his shoulders and was taking in deep slow breaths. He slowly glanced up to the bed, checking the pillows before he looked up at the crystals again. "Only a maid would know something like that" He told her, though he secretly knew better. "A maid that has slept in the bed, even in your past life you have been a lazy girl, getting herself and others in trouble" He looked down at her again, could it be? ... no.. He shook his head and looked around the room and spotted a book that was still resting on the small side table next to the left chair. He walked up to it, and carefully hovered his fingers over it. Not daring to touch it, not wanting to disturb the dust that had collected upon it over the years. His wives book, he remembered how she had forgotten to take it with her, so all she could do was borrow a book from Salvador so she had something to read while their little child was fast asleep.

The very memorie created the angry outburst that was to follow. He grabbed Melia firmly around her upper arm and dragged her out of the room. He was not particularly strong, but he had a fight in him that made it able for him to do as he wanted with the girl until she was out of that room. With magic he closed the door behind him, as he stood hovering over her while snarling. "Why do I have this feeling that you perfectly know what you are doing, and who you are! You been in that room before, because you have been sneaking around like a thief!" He was shaking all over, fear, anger, distrust. Deep inside he knew what he was looking at, deep inside he knew that there was this little change. But he refused to believe it, he did not want to. He roared in anger and slammed his staff onto the floor, green flames spreading through the corridor. There was no heat, just.. this overwhelming magical power that Salvador felt that he needed to release in order for him to keep himself from bursting. "WHY! WHY are you telling me these things, these LIES! Are you to turn your king mad? Are you to test my patients! SPEAK!"

[Scottie]

Melia dragged her eyes back over to the bed and tilted her head. She recognised the patters in the bed covers, the deep gold and the flowers that danced over the cream material. She knew that he was correct, deep in her stomach she knew. For the castle seemed familiar....but just off. Like a corridor that should be filled with light was filled with shadows. A door that used to open with ease was not sealed shut. She heard him come closer but her eyes were trailing over the head board. The carving so gently like the wood was made of clay. Her forehead wrinkled, kings had slept here with their queens. That couldn't be right. She remembered lying in that bed. She knew how the ceiling looked from laying on the left side of the bed. She knew how it sunk in her shape and how warm it felt in the winter months. A maid. She believe that. A maid that tended to the room. She felt a prickle of heat over her neck and shook her head softly. She had never felt fear in this room, a maid who was sleeping on the job would be terrified.

She flicked her eyes to where he was looking and noticed a book. The deep green reminded her of a book that she had seen many a time before. She smiled softly and took a small step closer, but his hand wrapped around her arm. She was harshly brought backwards, "W..Wh.." Her feet stumbling underneath her as she struggled to keep up with how he dragged her. The door slammed behind him and she felt a prick of cold flood through her body. She brought her eyes back to him and heard him snarling. She took a small step backwards and blinked rapidly. "N...no..I..I haven't..." She flinched violently when green flames erupted up around her, licking at her dress. She took another small step backwards from him and felt fear hit her stomach. "Y..You asked." She stammered her response, wanting desperately to take another step back but her back had hit the wall of the corridor. "They...They aren't lies. They are what I remember. I have never been in that room myself...I have never been in this castle until you dragged my father in here."

Her bottom lip wobbled and she kept her hands close to her stomach. "I don't wish to turn you mad...or test your patience...I am just answering your questions." Her words trembling as she was. "I..I don't have a reason for you. I don't know why I can remember that room." She stared up at him, she couldn't explain this and so she become angry...with herself. "I just have it stuck in my head. I don't understand. I will grow mad before you. I don't know why. Why I know where the golden flower is. Where I sat and read books or ate strawberries that I had stolen. I don't know why its so painfully obvious that the bed is wrong. The pillow is in the wrong place...Someone made it wrong, my pillow goes on the left side." She said bluntly. Her hands curled into fists as she glared up at him. "Tell me how I know that. How do I know the pillow is wrong? How can I remember winter mornings curled under 10 blankets refusing to move. How can I remember this room...What sort of maid knows that?" Her hands remained in fists but a few angry tears floated down her red cheeks. She couldn't explain anything that she knew and it was infuriating her. She couldn't explain it to him for she didn't know the answer herself.

[Dark Pigeon]

Salvador could feel his very mind unraveling, and that truly frightened him. The more he tried not to think of the obvious, the harder he was fighting it to keep it suppressed. But it only caused him to think more about it, and it was driving him into insanity. He did not want it, the very idea of this girl being who he thought she was... it truly as unbearable for him. As he heard her talk it felt like someone was forcing daggers into his mind. He could so easily answer her questions, tell her why she knew and how all of it was clear to him now. He knew that she was speaking the truth, he knew that it was possible.. but he did not want it to be. He was passing up and down the hallway, his eyes wide open, his pupils fully dilated as he ran his fingers through his hair. Right before Melia, it seemed that the king truly was going insane, becoming quite mad right before she would. He wanted to take those thoughts out of his mind, just.. push his fingers through his own skull and take a hold on them with his fingers. Never to think about it, never to truly deal with any of it. He was in a state that could make him destroy everything around him, his breathing became heavy and fast, as he was starting to panic. This girl, she... no!!.

His eyes turned towards her, a fire burning behind them that betrayed to Melia that he was to do. He lowered his hands and rolled them into tight fists before he started to fidget with his hands. He looked hungry, hungry for death, for darkness, for her demise. She was not her, it was jus the soul of the woman he had once loved so very much. If he was just to.. just make her leave. Not for him to look into the eyes of this dull girl, only to see someone else stare right back at him. She could have run as fast as her legs could. Get into safety and have him cool down before she was to ever get near that horrid man again. "You.. you cant be here" He said to her, his voice dripping with the darkness that he showed her. His eyes were wide open, he seemed truly to have unraveled right before her eyes and there was nothing she could do. His very body slowly being covered by those horrid green flames as he moved towards her. She could not get away quick enough, he had her cornered and she was his, his to do with as he damn well pleased. It would only take a few moments, but if she was gone he could have peace again. He would not look into her eyes, he did not dare to as he would do what he thought was needed.

His hands were around her neck in no time at all, he pushed all his weight and strength into it as he started to strangle her. She could fight but he would not let her go. She could kick and whack all she wished but he would not stop. He did not look at her, he had his head turned the other way as he kept saying that he needed to do this, that it was better, that he was sorry.. but he had no other choice. He could feel how she kept resisting, kept fighting but to no avail. Only when her body started to feel heavy in his hands he looked, why.. he did not know. But as he did he looked right in her eyes and saw someone else but Melia look back at him. He saw red flowing hair, he saw her lovely blue eyes, that little scar she had above her lip as she was fighting to get a breath of air. It truly came as a shock to him, and as soon as he saw her vision he let go and fell on his own knees as he held her body in his arms. He was back in that forest, holding the limp body of his wife as she let out her fighting breath. Even if Melia had survived, being quite alright even though she needed air more than anything. Salvador held her tightly in his arms, rocking her as he let out a few deep sobs, begging for her to forgive him, telling her how much he loved her.

[Scottie]

Her bottom lip wobbled dangerous as he started to pace back and forth. She couldn't give him the answer he wanted, she was as clueless as he was. She shuffled herself along the wall to get away fro him as his eyes wide and she struggled to see any green left in the darkness. "S...Sir..." Her word trembling as she took a small step back. She had seen him kill Stellos and she had watched him tear out Becky's eyes. But this was different, she felt like she could be sick from the fear. This man was not the man she had first eyes on. Her neck burned badly like her skin would melt from her bones. She had told him earlier that she could never fear him as she did the lord of light...but that was slowly changing. She stumbled a step backwards from him as he turned his gaze back to her. Rolling his hands into tight fists and she raised her own hands to a defensive pose as she took another step back. If she couldn't be here then she needed to leave.

Melia couldn't take her eyes away from him. When the first rose up and engulfed his body, she tried to turn and flee. But he slammed her back into the wall and his hands were on her throat. Her hands rose and she tore her fingernails through his hands. She felt her throat closing down and she struggled to breathe. It was like someone had kicked her in the stomach, it felt like someone was burning a red hot poker along her neck and she couldn't breathe. She tried kicking out, attempting to make contact with any part of him but she failed. Her vision started to blur and her arms and legs felt heavy. Her head felt light and she struggled to keep herself awake. Her fingers continued to drag through his hands, trying to remove them but he was stronger than her. He wouldn't even look at her when she was dying...like she wasn't worth it. What had she done wrong? Her mind was running through a million questions but the main one was breathe. Breathe Melia. She slumped against him, her hands dropping from his as her skin took a purple tinge to it. She gasped in a pitiful attempt of a breath and her eyes rolled back in her head as her body hit the floor. Melia was silent for a moment. Not a single noise coming from her body. Then her breathing return in a loud gasp.

She couldn't move, air was still struggling to get to her lungs. He held her too tightly. She couldn't even hear him, her whole body was just screaming at her to get air. To breathe. Breathe Melia. Her gaze blurred in and out and then faded to darkness as her eyes rolled back in her skull. She slumped in his arms but small crackly breaths could be faintly heard coming from the mass of hair pressed into his chest. Her entire body was starting to shut down. Her skin was growing purple and her heart was hammering like nothing else. She always did black out when things got too much.

[Dark Pigeon]

He was beside himself, he knew that the woman he was holding wasn't her, his wife.. she had died many years ago. He had held her dead body, he had buried her in the same grave as he had his only son. As badly he wanted her to die only moments ago, now he could not get himself to let her die under his hands, nor by those of another. He rocked her body in his arms as he held her . Begging her not to die, not again. Guards started to come into the hallway, watching their sire as he had broken down into pieces. None of them said anything, none dared as they watched the scene unfold before them. It as after a small hour that Salvador rose to his feet, struggling as he carried the body of Melia with him, his staff following him. He said nothing, even though he wasn't strong enough to carry her on his own he did, at least he owned her that much as he took her out of that hallway.

... a few hours later...

As Melia would wake up, she would find herself not in that hallway any longer, she wasn't surrounded by that, that was dark and hopeless anymore. Instead she was surrounded by warmt and a softness that would make you think you were floating on clouds. She was safe now, and everything was done to make her feel just a bit more comfortable. But she was not alone, someone was keeping her company. The soft sound of a page turning somewhere in the corner, a gently cough and then silence as the person who was with her kept reading. As she would open her eyes, she would see nothing but lovely rich dark green velour and soft furs surrounding her. Her dress was taken off, and a soft nightgown was put around her to keep her warm and ever so comfortable. Her neck was still hurting, but with her healing powers doing their work she would be feeling better by now. There was a soft fire burning nearby, casting a lovely golden light over the room that felt so very comfortably warm and safe.
Right next to her, on nice thick wolf fur lay the book she had read when visiting Salvador in his office. She could pick it right up, she just needed to extend her hand and she would have it.

Food was placed on a small table next to the bed. Some soup and soft bread... almost as if they knew that she would be having trouble with eating.
Another page was turned, the sound of someone shifting its body in a leather chair and getting up. The fire was crackling, a piece of wood was added and it started to slowly roar, filling the room more and more with warmt. The person sat down again and let out a long sigh, he looked back but did not see any movement coming from the bed. He sat down and picked up the book again, he was already halfway through this one. He hoped she would wake up soon, as he had something to show her.. something even he had not laid his eyes upon for a very long time.

[Scottie]

Her eyes flickered open to a familiar sight. A grand beautiful painting of a golden flower. It was hit by the sunlight so perfectly that it sparkled around the room. She pushed herself up to sitting in the regal bed and dragged a hand through her auburn hair. She wriggled her toes and glanced around for the man who should have been sleeping beside her. No. He wasn't there. She rolled her eyes but she knew that he always left early when they were travelling. He wanted everything perfect before they left their home. She slipped her feet in silk slippers and rose from the bed, her long body stretching as she moved around the room. She plucked up a fresh slice of apple that lay on the table at the end of the bed and popped it past her lips as she wandered to the grand doors. She hauled them open and expected to see someone in the corridor. There was nothing. But grey...and cobwebs. Her forehead creased and she padded further out into the corridor. Something creaked behind her and she turned in time to hear a childs cry. So pure and clear in the emptiness of the house. Another cry and then another. The child was calling out for her and she wasn't able to save him.

Melia's eyes snapped open and it took her gaze a moment to focus. The feeling of fear in her stomach slowly drifted away as warmth filled her bones and she felt safe here. She could hear a page turning, the soft rustling of paper. She was laying on more furs than she had ever seen in her life. There was a fire nearby and she raised a hand to her neck. It still tinged gently but it wasn't as bad as before. Her fingers brushed a material that she was not familiar with and she noticed that she had been undressed and put into a night gown. Her forehead creased, was she back at the Stables. Had someone helped her get dressed...she hoped like hell that it was Hedrick's wife and not one of the men. She turned her head as best as she could and noticed the book she had been reading earlier. She extended her hand and her fingers gently brushed the cover to make sure that it was actually there.

Food was on her left and she could smell it's beautiful richness soaking through the room. Another page and she snapped her eyes to the darkness. Someone was moving, so she froze. Dropping her eyes so that she could watch them through the gaps in her eyelashes. Another log was added to the fire and light floated back to the room. She couldn't see his face and decided to open her eyes fully. She took a moment before slowly pushing herself up to sitting. It took a lot of effort. Melia dragged her hand to the back of her neck and pressed her cool hand on the scar that was burning like nothing else. She mouthed something to herself gently, something about it needing to calm down. She moved her eyes to staring at the furs before her, her eyes drooped as she felt like she needed to sleep for a full week. She let out a long sigh and opened her mouth to say something. "H..H..." The word was sore as it tried to escape her vocal chords. She took a small moment before continuing. "Where am I?" Her voice faint in the room as her eyes slowly dragged up to the figure in the chair.

[Dark Pigeon]

He was silently reading about soul-magic, and the many known cases of reincarnated people coming back and remembering their past lives. He needed to brush up his knowledge, as all knowledge did. When he heard movement behind him he stopped, listening carefully without looking up. He had heard her move before, he did not need to keep looking and disappoint himself as that lazy ass of a Melia was still sleeping. Only when he heard her speak he silently placed down his book and rose to his feet. Salvador slowly walked up to her, his hands behind his back as he looked at her with much distrust and confusion. He could still barely believe it, still she was to him what a ghost was to another person. She looked nothing like his wife, there was not a single feature that made him recognize her. Only her eyes though, if you would look carefully you can see something there, something that was quite like the vision, that remarkable woman that he had been married to. "You are in my room. It seems that you have finally made it here" He told her as he walked around the bed, not daring to come to close to her. To him she was like potion, she was toxic and he did not want to come close. And yet, yet he was here alone with her.

"I tried to kill you but I failed. I had my hands around your throat and wanted to squeeze the living daylight out of you.. but I found myself incapable to do so" He said rather bluntly, there really was no reason to be careful about it. She would remember it anyway, hell.. she properly already knew. "You blacked out, I brought you here and had maids remove the dress you were wearing.. so they could dress you into more appropriate attire for someone that is to lay in a bed" So, that was out of the way as well, she would properly start crying if she was to think he undressed her.. as if! He did not even undress himself. Why the hell would he a dirty... he stopped his train or thoughts like there and gestured towards his staff. The very thing was flooding the room with everything that felt good, from warmth, the right lightning, hell.. even the smell of burning fire and sandalwood instance.

His hands were stil behind his back as he stopped passing around the bed, even he knew that it made him look more like a freak than anything else. "You have been here for a couple of hours sleeping. I had soup brought up here for you to eat, seeing that you need to gather your strength. Have some, I heard it is quite the amazing soup" He had not eaten it though. If he ate he ate like a king, not some piss poor soup with bread. He had already eaten, his plate still by his chair as he told everyone to stay out.. unless he told them to enter. He tilted his head as he watched her trying to sit up and seemed a bit conflicted "There are pillows on the bed, they might give you some support while sitting. I..." He gestured towards the book. "Gift you a book.. not gift.. you can borrow it.. but only when your hands are clean. You can read it after you have eaten" The idea of her eating, and having it spill over the book suddenly flooded his mind. He panicked and made the book come floating towards him. "Better not have you spill the soup over it. I do not care about the blankets. The book though, is worth more than you.." He said as he gently rubbed his hand over the books cover.

As she had sat up, she could see that right before the bed, at the food end there was a large .. plate standing. It was covered by a tall white sheet. Salvador had walked past it, he had looked at it a couple of times as if he had plans with it. But first things first... The very thing did not belong in this room, it stood out like a sore thumb while all the rest was just fitting together so perfectly. The entire room was almost like a copy of the other one. Though this one was smaller, it had no golden flowers on the wall and just one chair by the fireplace. Everything that would remind Salvador of his past life was left out in this room, and it had been his very own for many a year.

[Scottie]

The shadowy figure only moved when she spoke. She hoped that it was Hedrick or maybe Vermin, but the shadow was too tall for Vermin and too thin for Hedrick. When he came into the light and she recognised his face, the last moments she had awake before ending up here came rushing back to her. He had tried to kill her. His hands had clenched around her throat, was he here to try again? To truly kill her. She pushed herself back away from him frantically and her back hit the head board of the bed. She would have fled the bed but he seemed to be keeping his distance. His room. Her eyes snapped around her, struggling to make anything out in the shade of light provided by the fire. Hearing him admit it was staggering, her fingers rose to her neck and she gently prodded the tender skin. Incapable to do so. That she doubted. She would bet anyone that it would be another day until he tried it again. The maids dressed her, that settled one question. She dropped her eyes to the night gown and was shocked by the material.

It was pure cotton and was as white as fresh snow. She ran her thumb over the material over her legs and then dragged her eyes back up to him. The staff hovered nearby and when she sent it a glance, it flooded the room with just a little more light. Melia's eyebrows shot up, she had been out for a few hours. Her eyes narrowed as she watched him, he had brought her soup...given her a book...What happened to the evil man who strangled her a few hours ago. Was this a trick? She felt the pillows around her back and wanted to drag her knees to her chest...but she stayed sitting up as he made the book float away from her. He walked past her and she found herself drawn to a large plate. She blinked slowly and noticed the white sheet, throwing it a frown....perhaps it was some sort of strange torture device.

She decided to ignore it and not bring his attention to it. So Melia reached out for the glass of water that sat beside the soup. She brought it to her dry lips and let the cool water drift down her sore throat. As she drank the water slowly, Melia let her eyes drag around her..taking in the new surroundings. It looked familiar...if only because it was a copy of the other room. "I don't recognise this room." She let her words crackle to him. She wrapped her fingers around the glass and watched him pace around the room. "Why couldn't you kill me?" Melia asked him bluntly. "Surely life would be easier without me around. I'm causing chaos...and pain....A little more pressure would have probably done it." She looked defeated. Red and purple tinged her neck. The bruise would easily be gone the next morning but right now it looked horrible. Another small sip of the water and she placed it back on the small table. "Why did you bring me here Sire?" She asked him, truly curious why he would bring her "dirty stupid little" body in his room. Surely he could have just dumped her in the stables and let the men deal with her.

[Dark Pigeon]

"You do not recognize this room, because you never been here. This is your first time... as you can see" He gestured around the room as he made a grand gestured to show it all off "was something else entirely before I made it mine. " He looked around himself, it looked much like the old room, a room he was not able to enter until today. It was still something he would never do so easily. He would leave that room alone for years to come if he had a say in it. But he had made it so that it looked alike, that he could open his eyes and maybe, just maybe feel for a couple of seconds that all of those terrible things had never happened and that his wife would be sleeping right next to him. Those moments he was at his most happy, only to become filled with anger an sadness as he was reminded of the truth.

"Lets correct ourselves here." He said as she watched her while he still held the book in his hand. The color of the books cover was only slightly darker than the many different shades of green that Salvador wore. It stuck out, and yet it seemed to belong with him as he had his hands wrapped around it so very carefully. "I could have killed you, I am perfectly able to do so. And if I had not stopped myself from doing so you would be very dead right about now. Rotting with the others as they say, not even to be buried in a grave with your name on it. There is nothing wrong with me if it comes to killing and murdering, you need not to worry about that. But.. that you already know." He nodded in agreement with himself and chuckled lightly. Him, not killing? HAH! the humor in that joke was marvelous. He lifted his eyebrow when she stated that life would be easier without her, lord yes.. it truly would. But for that they were already to late, he should have never met her or have found out as to who she truly had been. But now he did, now he knew and he wasn't going to get rid of her without him feeling mighty upset about it. "Live would been easier indeed, and many would be better of without you. Becky would still be able to see her little son. I would not have beaten poor Vermin. Your father would only need to worry about one daughter. And I myself would not be baby-sitting a perfectly grown woman like I am doing now. But..." He walked back to the other side of the room. The trail if his robe gently swooshed behind him as he moved over to the small table next to his chair. He placed down the book,by the other that he had ben currently reading, before turning around so he could look at her.

He was pleased to see that she was drinking, at least he did not need to tell her that she should. It would be so painfully tedious if he had to. He took in a deep breath and rolled his eyes. She did not need to concern herself over why she was here and all that. "You are here because I brought you here, because I wanted to. How can you not understand that.. you foolish girl" He snarled at her, his biting words coming out harsh and unpleasant. He collected himself, calming himself down before he showed her a kind smile again in the hope that she would forget his harsh words. "You are here now, that is all that matters. Now eat, I have something to show you... I promise you that it is something you have never expected it to be. Its a small.. gift from me. Oh how I wonder what you think of it dear little girl"

He walked up to her again, but kept distance between them. He would not come closer unless he thought it to be needed. As he past the large white sheet again he looked at it, his fingers shaking as he had his eyes fixated on it for just a couple of seconds. But that was all he needed to grow restless again. Salvador looked up to see if she was eating, or drinking.. just anything. Not that he cared if she was to be alright, he only cared for the soul that was stuck in that body, not the body itself.. that could wither away for all he cared.

[Scottie]

She truly didn't recognise the room, it was not somewhere she had ever stepped foot into. She snapped her eyes back to him. She did not smile, she did not react in any way when he said he could have killed her. She knew that from the very first day she set her eyes on him. He killed people for less than she had done. He chuckled and she blinked slowly as she watched him move around the room. She raised an eyebrow slowly, life would be easier....why not get rid of her. She rolled her eyes when he said he was babysitting her. Her throat itched again and she picked up the glass of water, letting another gulp slip down her throat. His harsh words did not surprise her...his smile did. She blinked rapidly, cold prickling across her neck. She had seen that before. She had seen that attempt of a kind smile many a time before. When he was forced to deal with those that were draining on his soul. She was here now...that was all that truly mattered. She was safe in this little room, though she would have preferred that he wasn't here.

Something to show her. Her eyes lit up with curiosity and her eyes snapped to the plate. It was the only thing in the room that looked out of place. That must be it. She still wouldn't believe that it was not a torture device. She watched him come closer and moved herself back to sitting with her back hard against the headboard. When he moved away, she slowly reached out for the soup and small bread roll. She pulled the tray onto her lap and let her dainty finger tear at the bread roll. Soaking a piece of bread in the mixture and then letting it slide down her throat. It was a beautiful chicken broth. She munched on that bread before tearing up the rest of the bread and then dumping it in the soup. It was something she had done since she was a child. It made everything soggy and easier to eat. She didn't look at him when she was eating. The only noises echoing around the room was the soft clinking of her spoon on the bowl and his footsteps. When she was finished, she raised her eyes up as she took a small sip of the cold water.

Melia placed the tray back onto the small table and fixed the bed sheets around her. She ran her free hand through her hair as she watched him. She could swear she had seen him like this before....when she was in a bed....He was pacing around like he was concerned about the news. Her other hand moved to resting over her stomach and then she frowned. Looking down at the placement of her hand before shaking her head violently. She pushed herself further up against the bed. "W..What do you want me to see?" She asked him, thinking he wouldn't show her now as some sort of cruel joke.

[Dark Pigeon]

Finally, she was done eating. Though he was feeling very impatient as he so badly wanted to show her something, Salvador had been looking out of the window towards the full moon that stood high in the sky. He almost looked peaceful as he sat on the windowsill, as he enjoyed the sight of the silver light that went over his dying lands, and lovely city that still looked as if nothing was wrong with the country they lived in. People went by with their lives here. He imagined men going for a drink, women feeding their children. Everyone that lived inside the city's would be paying a hefty price to live in the safety of the city walls. Only here trees still carried green leafs, grass would grow and tickle your feet when you ran over it. It was as if time had stood still, as if nothing had gone wrong so many years ago. "Good" He said as he jumped up and walked up to her as he rubbed his hands together. He still kept his distance as he did not want to scare her away. He needed her to see this, or better say; he needed to see what it would show him. Salvador could finally show the device he had invented himself. A device he badly wanted to use on the girl, one that truly needed to be tested on her. If anything could truly prove to him that she was the woman he thought she was, than this could prove it for him!

"I want you to see something very special dear. There is but one in the very world, there truly is nothing quite like it. Invented by a man that has showed his greatness to this world, proving many that thought him to be nothing, wrong. Sadly though, they still called him a failure.. I guess by now I have finally proved them wrong." He walked up to the blanket that covered something and gently placed his hands upon it. He took in a deep breath, this was going to be the final prove, after this he could not back down. Before he removed the pure white sheet, he told his staff to go and stand behind it. There was no need just yet for her to see what would happen if it was to stand before the device. He might show her later, but first.. first he needed to see her. "This darling, my small minded simple girl" He said as he removed the blanket and showed her an pitchblack shiny plate, his eyes sparkling as he seemed so very proud of what was underneath it "Is a soul-mirror."

... decades ago....

He nervously tugged his school robes straight, and made sure that his greasy hair was sitting according to school policy. He as but a boy, 10 years of age as he had entered the schools magical-fair for the first time. Everyone was to enter! No exceptions! They were to show what they could create using the magic that they wielded, and what they had learned thus far. Parents would come to see their children shine or fail. While teachers were to grade their Small volcano's, potato clocks, talking animals, self popping popcorn, uncrackable eggs, and many other nifty magical projects. Salvador was to aim for anything that would make his teachers tell him that he was indeed a good mage, that he wasn't the failure that they constantly told him that he was. His parents could not come though, something with ruling a country.. he was very disappointed and just so badly wanted them to see that he was good. Instead of them being showered by letters from his many teachers, stating that Salvador just did not have it in him.

He had his project hidden under pure white sheet. Even the cardboard plate that was to tell what it was, was hidden so he could do a dramatic revealing of his master piece. He had made it all by himself, working on it for countless hours after school and during breaks. He had hardly slept for weeks, and he had worried that his project would fail.. but luckily for him it had not. And boy was he proud! He looked around the large open spaced room and watched his teachers walk up to every single project and grading them. Telling many of the children that they had done so well, and others that they should do better. But every single child was smiling afterwards, because even after telling them they had not succeeded the teachers would tell them how to change their plan of action. Slowly they came closer, and even though Salvador's project was the only one still hidden.. nobody seemed to give a crap. He was the schools fool, the idiot, the one that would not amount to anything. If you thought this to be falls, ask his teachers as they would state that this was in fact.. true.

"Young sir Domènech. I hope you have something more to show than a couple of sheets" the headmaster asked as he glanced over the young boy. He did not seem impressed with the child standing before him, he just looked positively bored with him." The other teachers followed his example. Where they had been smiling and doing their best to keep up a positive vibe, they went for a purely negative one when standing before the young prince. Salvador swallowed, getting nervous as he looked up at the headmaster. He knew that the man hated him, he knew that all the teachers did. Why he did not know, he always did his best, doing everything to please them and yet.. yet they just seemed so fed up with him. "N.. no s..sir. I.." He stepped aside and tugged at the first sheet that covered the cardboard plate. "What is a soul' stood written on it in the writing of a young child. "A.. A soul is a f.. force that lives in.. inside e..every si.. single living cretu.. creature" The teachers already started writing, shaking their heads as they already were giving him the lowest of grades one could get. "M.. many w.. wish that a s..soul could be sss.. seen w.. with.. without the u. use of a hea.. healers ma.. ma.. magic. B.. because o.. only they.. they can see it, a.. and n.. not those whoooo do.. do not ha.. have the healers touch" He explained as he pointed out the drawn pictures of stick figures and blue little lights sitting inside them. "B.. Be.. becau.. because o.. of that I.. I thought. "say.. me.. w.. why c.. cant w.. we all see see the soul. W.. Why i.. is theeir .. there not something that.. that sho.. showes it.. l... like a.. a.. a mirror"

He started sweating like a pig, his hands trembling as he nervously stepped aside from his next sheet. "I.. I have.. have succe.. succeeded t.. to c.. create" He said, putting on a smile, look self-assured, don't be nervous! he told himself as he held the corners of the latest sheet that was to removed. "A.. a soul-mirror!" He tugged of the sheet and showed his invention, something that had never been done before and that he had created with the little magic he had.. while only being 10 years of age. Any other person would be truly amazed! And everyone would.. if it not had been for the teachers blocking the view for all other people present. As the teachers looked inside of it they could not see themselves, nor the space around them. Instead they saw glowing formless entities in different colors, sizes, and shapes. Nearly all of them grew green. There were as much bigger entities as there were teachers, and right behind them countless other ones in different colors, enough for each child that stood in the view of the mirror. Salvador smiled from ear to ear, if this was not to show them how fucking amazing he was.. than nothing would. The teachers were speechless.. that little rat had created something they could not.. and he was but a damn child! None of them showed amazement, none of them showed that they were absolutely taken aback.. instead.. they laughed before giving Salvador a very.. angry.. glare.

One of them threw that sheet back over it and grabbed the boy by his ear, tugging him forwards to the head master that was not at all happy with the young lad. As Salvador was close he was harshly slapped across the face "You think this to be funny boy! Is this how you treat your elders!" The man slapped Salvador harshly again and threw his cardboard display to the ground. "DETENTION for young sir Domènech!! Showing us a black slap with swirly lights on it! TELLING US YOU HAVE..." the man took in a deep breath "Telling us that you have created the impossible. Salvador's lip was wobbling, he had not done that.. he had really created something amazing.. why.. why were they angry. He did not understand, and as he tried to protest he was harshly slapped over the cheek again. "You truly are nothing but a failure young sir Domènech, I will be telling your parents about this.." The headmaster said as Salvador was about to cry, fighting his tears as he knew that the headmaster hated tears.. though he seemed to like them on Salvador himself.

.....

Salvador proudly stepped aside to show Melia his childhood invention. How he was still able to have it, was even a mystery to himself. But he had kept it safe all those years as he knew deep inside that he had indeed created something great. Even after all those decades nobody had succeeded to recreate what he had made. And yes, they had tried.. boy have they tried! "Only a healer can see the soul of a person or other living creature. As they are able to heal a broken or tormented soul. Now, this is not some first grade spells.. this is serious magic darling. It would take years for a mage to learn to heal one.. seeing them though.. well. The spell for it is dreadfully long, and one can only see the soul when speaking it. Making it impossible for one to heal.. and see it at the very same time. Very unpractical do you not agree?. I.. have created this. Its a mirror that shows your soul. You can see who you truly are. You are not your legs, or your arms. You are not your body.. but that voice inside your head. This.. this allows you to see it" He himself did not step into the view of the mirror as he knew that he would not like what he was to see. He could only guess how damaged his soul would be. Even he wasn't brave enough to truly look at that right now. "I have showed this miracle to only a few people. My teachers, and my wife. And now I want you to see it."

[Scottie]

His impatience filled the room like smoke, but she did not hurry herself. Each mouthful of soup that passed her lips was still forced down her throat. She would not rush and cause herself more pain for this strange man. She raised an eyebrow when he called her dear. One in the world...what sort of rare torture device did he have. I have finally proved them wrong. So he made this. He made this special thing and was at once doubted by many. She kept her hands close to the tops of the bed cover as he picked the white sheet and slowly dragged it off the special thing. A soul mirror. Her forehead gently creased as it sounded familiar but seemed wrong. She waited for him to move so she could see the mirror in its glory. Her eyes lit up and she let her eyes scan over the mirror before her. She had seen it before, it was now placed with a rather regal looking frame. But she had seen it before. She had looked in it before. Melia was faster than he expected, she was out from the covers and clambered over the bed towards it. Stopping just shy of the edge of the bed and kneeling before it. "It's stunning." She said softly.

She let his words wash over her, but her eyes were fixed on the mirror. It was true, her body was gone. She could not see her legs or her arms...only colour. "She's beautiful." Melia said with a small smile, lost in the colours she saw before her. The cloud that floated around the mirror was massive. A beautiful blend of colours, purples and reds and oranges. The colours managed to settle on a colour, one blob was a bright orange. The other was a shimmering pink. When she glanced at him, the colours changed. Melia gave him a massive grin before returning her eyes to the colours before her. "O...Oh...They changed." Her words quiet. The orange brighter blob was now a lovely light pink. The pink was now a deep red, the edge of that blob were faded and it was behind the strong pink. "Does everyone have two?" She asked him sweetly as she shuffled closer. "I could swear that I have seen this before." With that statement the red blob flashed twice. She blinked rapidly as the red seemed to grow brighter when her mind floated to the last time she saw this.

She had wanted to see if it would show the child's soul. Would they have their own little aura before they were born? She had last stood before it with a rounded belly and a massive grin on her pale skin. Melia blinked rapidly and shook her head gently before dropping her eyes. "I think it's trying to talk to me....It keeps blinking at me." She felt like she sounded so very stupid. But when she raised her eyes to the mirror again, it was still blinking. No longer a deep red but a comforting calm blue...with almost a tinge of sorrow on the fringes of it. Whereas the other was a bright yellow and was growing smaller in its shame. "What does it mean?"

[Dark Pigeon]

Salvador could not help but to smile as she seemed to realize how amazing this thing truly was. Even she understood! He looked into the mirror from around the corner, not wanting her to see his soul just yet. He knew that it would only frighten her, and even himself for that matter. "Thank you" He said as she called it stunning, how he would have loved to hear someone say that to him when he was a small boy. Even if they were not amazed with what it was, just calling it beautiful would have helped him when growing up. Salvador chuckled as she called 'her' stunning, did she not realize that that thing.. that was her. A mirror did not show the true you, you were not that person in a normal mirror. But this, this showed the real deal, this was what you looked like. "You do realize that this is you, it does not show the.. illusion that we call live. Everything around us is but a .. a hallucination, a.. façade." He told her calmly, his horrible nature not showing for the moment, now that he had seen what he needed to see.. what he had longed for so long to just see one more time, he had. Now he knew, now he could not hide it any longer, she was the reincarnation of the woman he had loved desperately, and who had been killed.

He looked at the two pieces of the soul that was Melia "They are always changing, they show what we feel. The colors relate to certain emotions. The shape of a soul is not solid, nor is it liquid or a gas.. it is quite unique, and ever changing. Quite like our moods, as to what we like or not. One day you like the music of a certain bard, the next you cant stand it. I could explain to you what every single color means, even shapes. But you are still to learn the very basic of what I wish for you to be taught.. for now, reading is all you need to concern about" He stepped aside from the mirror and positioned himself next to the bed, but keeping himself from being visible in the mirror. He wanted to watch her as she stood before that mirror, he needed to see that soul.. a soul that he so clearly recognized "Your soul has been torn apart. This can happen in all sorts of situations, from trauma, a violent death, or magic" would he tell her? ... maybe he needed to tread more carefully with such dire news. She could be taking it rather badly, and he needed her to be as sane as humanly possible with him being around. He had plans for her, she was now as important to him as was his revenge.

"A soul can be mended, but only by a healing mage. The magic that you so very basically can already use. It will not be like mending wounds, un-break bone, nor like curing decease. To learn to mend a soul, can take years upon years. That varies between mages." He told her, patiently.. his entire voice had changed during the conversation as he had his eyes settled on the soul mirror. He truly loved what he was seeing, and now that he realized that there was hope for him still.. he felt that he had still a fighting change to win this war and end the unnatural long lives of a small group of mages that he was a part of.

Enough playing around. He took in a deep breath and slowly walked up to her. "Your soul is but broken in two, it still holds many colors and is still reacting to you. You can clearly see that it is trying to tell you something. The visions you have, how you feel that you have seen this before.. how you have been in this castle in another life time. But with the tear between the two it is hard for it to communicate." He told her gently as he stepped towards the mirror itself. "The more damaged a heart is, the more it has been broken and being allowed to be swallowed by darkness. The more difficult it would be for one to heal it. Everything you do will reflect on your soul. It by itself is a pure being. The choices we make, what we go through.. it all reflects upon it.. and can not be easily washed away. Quite like... this one.." He stepped in front of the mirror as Melia stepped aside to give him some room. Instead of colors there was nothing but grey and black, violent dark reds. It was no longer flowing, but looked more like a solide blob that was hardly spreading into any direction. What was strangely fascinating was the shapeless hole that was sitting inside of it, almost as if a part of it was missing. He was not happy with what he was seeing. His soul looked ugly, unbendable, unforgiving, almost dead. It did not flow with colors as he would have wanted it to be. But he knew this already, he did not need this mirror to show him that he had grown to be quite like the image he was looking at in his own invention.

[Scottie]

That could not be her. No. It just couldn't be. It was too bright, too beautiful. His voice was soothing and let his words brush her skin as she tilted her head. Watching the two blobs fight against each other. "Emotions..." Her words trailed off as the colours shifted again. The stronger colour returned to a bright orange yet the other remained that dark red. Reading. "I want to read everything they have on this...Just to find out why one blob looks faded." She took another step closer to the mirror. Wanting to press her nose against the glass to truly see everything. Torn apart. Why. "You said I had a violent death?" She asked him as her eyes remained on the mirror. Why would something tear her soul apart? What had she ever done in her past life to deserve it? Melia wanted it mended, it looked lonely; that smaller blob. It wanted to be include but it stayed a different colour, it flickered a different shape. She heard his footsteps but her eyes were transfixed on the red colour flicking itself around her body. "It's reacting differently though." She asked him quietly.

"So they are the smaller blobs way of making me remember. By leaking them into my dreams?" Melia felt him come closer and then he stood before the mirror as well. She didn't want darkness to swallow her souls. She liked the colours that they flickered between. Everything you do will reflect on your soul. Both her souls were blemish free and burning brightly with her. She took a small step to the side as he stood before the mirror. Her eyes went wide and her hands rose to fidgeting before her. There was nothing but darkness. Her gaze was fixed on the darkness of his soul that she didn't notice her own soul change colour again. The bright orange faded to a faint yellow, fear radiated from that soul blob. The smaller one turned a darker red and....started to buzz. Like it was furious at the other soul it saw in the mirror. "C...Can you not fix that?" The red blob started to blink rapidly and Melia snapped her hand up to her neck. She flicked her eyes to the souls as her neck burned. "...i...I..." She couldn't even stammer out another response. The red one was growing brighter and brighter with every growing second and Melia felt fear hit her stomach.

"H...H..How d...do I stop it?" She asked him, fear tinged in her voice as the smaller blob started to shift its shape. Turning into stars with big spikes and then back into a tight ball. "I...I don't think that one is happy now." Sickness hit her stomach and she shook her head violently. She dropped her eyes to the ground, not seeing the emptiness of his soul was helping a little. Her soul still buzzed but not as violently. Anger was trickling down her spine, how could he let it get this bad? How could his bright beautiful soul turn into something so....dead? She knew this wasn't her anger...it was someone elses. "It's meant to be a cloud." Her voice quiet as her chin nearly rested on her chest. "It's meant to be an ever growing cloud of colour." She had closed her eyes now and could see the soul she was picturing before her. "It lit up like lightening when angry and filled with tinges of orange when excited...But not like that...It's meant to move." She could see it so perfectly before her. Beside her small burst of orange was a large cloud of pink...and a small faint wisp of purple.

[Dark Pigeon]

He watched his soul as it looked like something so very different than the soul of Melia that sat right next to it in the mirror. He could not help but to notice how that smaller piece of Melia was getting frustrated and angry with what it was seeing right next to it. If it could talk, it would come up with the foulest most hateful language known to men, it was that angry with what it saw, what it had been seeing for all these weeks that Melia had been here, and how the soul of Salvador had changed into what it was now. Only now Melia and Salvador could see it themselves as they looked at it through the mirror. "Mine?" He asked her when she asked if it could be fixed, he sounded surprised that she gave a rats ass how his soul was looking. "Who knows" he said. He wished he could tell her that it was an easy task, just.. heal it and it would be alright. But there was so much more to it, as his soul had been torn into pieces for many.. many lifetimes.

He watched her as she still had her eyes fixated on the soul mirror. He had expected for her to like it, but not quite like this. He feared that she might never stop looking into it. Not many people that would like it, he knew that his teachers had hated it. Seeing how their souls were nothing but old farts that were jealous of a 10 year old boy. "It certainly seems to be angry indeed. Quite like a young child that wants to tell his parents something important, only to find that he does not know the right words. " He looked at her as he by accident reminded himself of his own sons tantrums, how he had been so frustrated that he could not make his parents understand what he was trying to say. "You will learn over time how to understand it, as it will understand how to communicate with the part it had been separated from." He explained to her as he slowly moved his eyes towards the mirror again.

His smile dropped as she started to tell him how his soul was to look. How it had been full of light and colors. How it was more like a cloud instead of this .. dark oozing from it as his soul was suffering over what Salvador had done over the years. As Melia spoke she could see that his soul started to change, how it became filled with hot poking rage. The very texture seemed to change from that of hot tar into something more like a rock. Salvador wanted to lash out at her, how dare she remind him of what he used to be! How could she possibly know! He snarled, his hands turning into fists as he badly wanted to beat the girl.. but as he saw her soul in that mirror before him he knew that he would be hurting it more than he would do the body it was in. He was stuck, he could not beat this girl, not hurt her and make her scream in agony, without hurting the soul of someone who he had loved with all his heart.

"It is not anymore. Reminding me of what it should have been is not giving you any favors. Keep those words to yourself, I do not wish for you to speak them!" He snarled at her, his anger clear in his soul, while the smaller angry one of Melia was getting only more infuriated with him. "It will never be quite like that in my lifetime, there is no magic strong enough to make it like it has been." he snarled at her as he stared her down as he so eagerly seemed to willing to hit her. But how could he do that.. and that frustrated him all the more. "It has indeed changed quite a lot the last few ... decades. Becoming what it is right now. I have never looked upon it until now. I can not say that I am particularly happy with what I am looking at" He told Melia as he might as well just start her first lesson.. souls could be damaged, but they could be fixed. "I do not know if mine can be fixed, what magic is needed for it. I.. never seen one quite like this, but then again. Who has?" He looked at her, almost hoping that she could answer this question for him.

Of course she could not answer that question for him. All she knew about souls and healing magic was what he was to tell her. Even with all the knowledge his wife have had, her soul would not remember it. Speaking of such magic, he looked over at Melia "Want to see a trick?" He asked her, as she told him she did.. he made the staff coming up towards the mirror. "Step aside, not showing yourself in the mirror he told her as he himself stepped away from it as well. As she was gone to, he placed the staff before the mirror. Normally nothing would be there, everything that did not bare a soul would not be visible in the mirror. It truly was what it was, a mirror that showed a soul.. and nothing else. But as the staff stood before the mirror she could see that another soul became visible. Not an entire one, it was small and boy was it suffering. If Salvador's soul had shocked her, this one truly hit the mark. It was incredibly sad, just looking at it could make you almost hear it cry out. "Your soul is not the only one that has been torn into two pieces. He told her as he extended his hand towards his staff. The soul fragment in the staff started reacting, trying to get closer to the darker soul that was Salvador. "Your soul is just as lucky that it they can still be mended by the magic of a healer. This one.. mine.. it is quite different"

[Scottie]

The deep red in her soul was burning through her. It kept flickering like a candle caught in a breeze. "More like it can't be heard." She said softly, her eyes flicking up to the red piece of her soul. It was whizzing around now, making its shape new...filled with spikes. She knew that with time she would, she'd be able to understand the souls frustration and give air to its reason. Her eyes flicked to his soul as it started to twist and change. She could hear him snarling but his soul looked like it was moving even though it looked like it was made of stone. Melia heard his words and knew she had fucked up. She would have dropped her eyes but her souls did something very strange. The yellow seemed to grow smaller and the red grew, spikes out towards his soul....protecting the other part of the soul. Blinking furiously as it's colour darkened to a dried blood red. She was confused but the yellow one flickered yellow again as fear made her tremble. Melia couldn't bring herself to look at him. The smaller piece only grew with his anger, the spikes spinning out towards him. The anger of that piece of soul....reeked through her body.

Melia dropped her eyes to the floor, it was strange to hear him say that he was not happy with what he saw before him. Surely this man of darkness, rage and death would be happy with what he saw. She felt his eyes on her but she shook her head. Not her. She couldn't answer that question, she had limited knowledge on these things. A trick. Her stomach hit her feet and she flicked her eyes up to him. Was he going to smash her face into the mirror? Was he going to tear her eyes out so she could never see his soul again.....She nodded gently, equally worried about what would happen if she said no. She followed his instructions, moving away from the mirror. But sadness floated through, not being able to see the two pieces of soul that so perfectly worked with each other. Melia could still see the mirror but not her souls. The staff was floated before it and she tilted her head to get a better look. Her eyes went wide. "I...it has a soul." It was alive. It held a soul, is that why it was so temperamental, why it tried to protect her. It...It was crying. She felt like her heart was twisting inside her. His hand entered the mirror and she saw it. How the staff's soul was trying to get back to him.

Now she understood. Or well she thought she did. The staff was part of him. But...Her soul could link together. It was in the same place. Within her. He couldn't be healed like she could. Her eyes flicked up to him, sadness registered on her features as she wanted to tell him she understood. But she knew it wouldn't go down well if she told him she understood how it felt. For his pain was tenfold of hers. She took a small step back from the mirror, her left hand reached up for her neck. Applying some relief to her neck. She closed her eyes and concentrated on her neck, helping the pain there. The dark red slowly drifted towards a violent looking purple. "N..nothing can bring them back together?" She asked softly. Slowly dragging her wide grey eyes open to see him.

[Dark Pigeon]

Salvador slowly nodded "yes, it has... or better say. A part of it. It is an ancient weapon, and that part of my soul has been in there for many centuries" he took the staff in his hand, even when he touched it the soul part could not get close. There was something holding it back from it to rejoin with the entire soul that it was a part of. Salvador's soul reacted as well, trying to get closer to the other soul without being able to do so. He knew the full story behind this magic, he had know this ever since he had held the staff in his hands the very first time. All the information that he needed, and so much more came flooding back towards him. It had thrown him against the ground, and from that moment he understood everything. Why his teachers tried to keep him down, why he always felt that a part of him was missing, why his magic was strong even when he was young, and what he needed to do to free not only his soul.. but that of a few other mages as well. Though he wanted it, those other mages loved the power they had and they wanted to keep it. No matter if they were being corrupted, if they went against the very laws of nature.

He looked over at Melia as she asked him of they could be brought back together. "It can, and I wish for it to happen. But I need time. But.. " He gestured towards his darkened soul. "I am loosing power because I am no longer balanced. My hunger for revenge, for darkness, for pain.. it stands in my way to destroy those who have helped creating these magical weapons. There are a few more.. quite like it. Holding a piece of a soul." He let out a tired sigh and let go of his staff. The very object stood silently in the room while Salvador threw the sheet over the mirror again. He did not want to look at it any longer. He took hold of the staff "I am one of the most powerful mages this world knows, I can create weapons as strong as the one I am holding now. I can bring darkness over an entire country, I can kil with a blink of an eye... and yet.. I can not do this on my own. My soul has become corrupted, I can not do what I need to do without first being balanced out. My hunger for revenge is keeping me from doing so. My hunger for death is keeping that part of the soul that his stuck in the staff from coming back to me. Irony has it.. that I need someone like you. A healer mage, one that can help me fix my soul, as I myself can not do so. You Melia, you will help me.. you will fix my soul."

He held his head up high, he knew that she would ask him a million questions. Why her, why not someone else, she was not the person he was looking for, she could never do this. Before she could open her mouth he gestured her to keep quiet. "I needed prove. I showed you this mirror, your soul.. .mine.. because I know who your soul belonged to before you were named Melia. I am very surprised to see that it has found his way back to me, that it wishes to .. tell me something. " He stepped closer to her, his hand gently resting on her cheek as he looked down at Melia "You Melia' he said, a smile appearing on his lips. "Are the reincarnation of my wife. You died while trying to saving your sons life. You been killed, murdered, because they want to stop me.. from succeeding in taking them down"

[Scottie]

A weapon. She glanced at the staff and knew full well that it was a weapon. Part of his soul was trapped in it. Her eyes went wide as she stared at the staff, trying to imagine how that soul could get back into him. He wished for it to happen. He needed time, her eyes flicked up to him and frowned. He had time on his side. This man ruled since her grandparents were young. Balanced, that threw her off. How could someone be unbalanced. The mirror was covered and her curiosity faded to sadness. She wanted to see those colours again. Melia so badly wanted to roll her eyes at him, of course he would call himself one of the most powerful mages. He brought the darkness, her eyes flicked up to him. She was annoyed now, he had brought this darkness to her village...because he upset. He couldn't do it on his own.....She took a step back away from him. She didn't know if she wanted to fix him. To heal his soul. He had brought such pain to her and to others that she loved. Why should she help him? Her head shook gently as she wanted to refuse him.


Another step backwards as she opened her mouth, his hand was quickly in the air to keep her quiet. She stopped, her eyes going wide. He recognised her soul. He knew its owner. Her forehead creased when he moved to her and let his hand rest on her cheek. He was smiling again, this all felt so very wrong. His wife. She froze, not moving an inch. It couldn't be. She remembered this castle...because she was a maid or something. She was not his wife. She was not his. Her eyes snapped up to him and the rage that her grey eyes held burned through him. "I am not the reincarnation of your wife." Her words blunt as she harshly removed herself from his touch. "You told me that I must have deserved to die. That I must have been a maid or some petty thief." Her words dripping with anger. "My past self did not come back to help you keep this darkness here." She glared at him and took another step away from him. She wanted to be out of this room. So her eyes snapped around her, searching out her clothes which had been folded and placed on a small table by the bed. She stormed her way there and gripped the faded blue material tight in her fingers. "You must be mistaken."

Melia spun back to him, pulling her clothes to her chest. "I am an old maid or something. I was not your old wife." Her fingers tight as she kept her arms wrapped around her. Her knuckles turning white with the tension. "I want to go back to the stables. Please." She asked him but refused to look at him. Her eyes were burning on that soul mirror, though it was now covered. If her past self was his wife...If she was murdered alongside her son....then she didn't want to know her past life. She wanted to go back to the stables, feed the horses and spend the rest of her days there. She didn't want to see him again if he had that stupid belief in his head.

[Dark Pigeon]

He had expected for her to drop in her knees and thank him while kissing his feet. Her great king had just gave her the answer she been looking for! Being told she used to be a queen, a mother, and a wife. That she had been loved, and that he knew how she had died. All the fucking answers.. and this is how she thanked him. Lord, how she would be allowed to be close to the king, help him to destroy his enemy's! He was burdened with a glories purpose, and she was to be a part of it! She should be in tears, sobbing like the bitch she was. She should be happy and all that. But instead, she dared.. that.. girl.. dared! to tell him no.. NO!

His anger flared up like nothing else would, how dare that little bitch tell him he was wrong! "How dare you tell me I am wrong! HOW DARE YOU TELL ME OTHERWISE!" He roared at her as he grabbed his staff, his knuckles turning white as he held it tightly. He himself was getting infuriated with the girl in front of him, his face nearly turning bright red with anger. Why did she not understand his greatness, how he had figured it all out by himself? How could she not even understand how fucking perfect he was, and that she was to be his personal sla.. assista.. person. "You were no maid, nor a thief. You did not deserve to be killed as violently as you were! You will help me, I order you to! You will serve your king you damn little cunt!!" He screamed at her, his hand ready to strike her. "It seems to me that you are to be taught to listen to your king, not to talk back to him while you know NOTHING! you hear me, NOTHING!" He would not let her go just yet, he wasn't going to let this little bitch tell all her stableman friends what had happened and how she had laughed and laughed and make her king a fool! She as going to do this, he could see it in her damn eyes. Her soul might once been connected to his, but now it sat in this body of this horrible girl and he needed to teach her a fucking lesson.

He was ready to strike her, beat her against the floor and kick some sense into the girl. His hand was up in the air, going towards her as fast as it could. But as soon as it came to close to Melia she could only hear a loud crack, she could feel the air around her move violently as a bright flash lit up the entire room. As she opened up her eyes nothing had happened to her, but her king though. He was blown to the other side of the room, while his staff still stood at the very same spot. THis time the smoke that dripping from it was light as nothing else, it seemed like pure liquid light as it spread itself around Melia to block any path towards her. Salvador scrambled back on his feet and roared, he was beyond angry.. he was loosing his fucking mind. He roared as he wanted to get back up is feet but something just kept dragging him back to the floor. Every single time he tried to stand up he fel down again, and the harder he fought the worse it seem to get for him.

[Scottie]

Her knuckles turned white when his anger flared up to meet hers. She glared at him, the rage she felt was like nothing she had ever felt before. Oh she dared alright. "NO I WILL NOT." Her words echoed around the room. He told her that she deserved the death that she got. He wouldn't say that now that he thought she had been his wife. But before...Oh how he wanted her to feel horrible about how her past self died. She would rather die than serve him. Her eyes narrowed as he got closer to her, rage built up in her like nothing else. "I know more than you think. I have seen exactly what kind of man you have become." She spat her words at him as he came closer. She prepared herself for the slap that would surely come. But a noise burst through her ears and something whipped fast her. Bright white light stayed in her sight as she blinked rapidly. She looked down at herself, trying to see what he had done. Had he torn her tongue out her mouth or made her heart stop....Nothing. She heard movement before her and her attention was returned to her king.

He was not there. At least not before her anymore, the staff remained close to her but he was thrown backwards. She moved a step backwards and her back hit the wall. Light surrounded her and she felt like it...it was protection of sorts. He kept trying to get up but he fell down. His anger was increasing every time his back hit the ground. "S...Stop it." She said gently, the clothing that had once been in her arms fell to the ground. He kept trying to stand and she curled her hands back into fists. "STOP IT." She yelled at him, rage on every one of her features. "Stop this. You are mistaken." The staff before her kept the light around her as she sternly spoke to their king. "I am not...." Her words trailed off and she kept her hands curled into fists. "You have it wrong." Her words blunt as she glared at him. "I was not your wife. Not your queen...not...M...." Her forehead creased and she raised her hands to her head. "W...What was her name?" He tried to get up again and felt the floor scoop him back up. When he didn't respond to her, she yelled at him. "TELL ME HER NAME." Melia moved a step closer so that she was a mere step behind the staff. "I never heard of a queen living in this castle. Only an evil bastard of a king...Not a queen, not a prince. NOTHING. TELL ME HER NAME."

[Dark Pigeon]

He was only growing in anger as he kept being thrown back to the ground like he was but a rag doll. He was like an wild animal that was fighting fot its life. at that moment as he kept being pushed back. He had never been treated like this, never! Even though he knew what he was fighting against he would not give up. He never fought something quite like the staff, as it was making him suffer as he was now. But the staff kept going, throwing him down again and again. It would keep doing so until Salvador had calmed down. It would no longer allow this man to hurt the girl, as she so clearly was the only one that could help him. But for that to happen he needed to win over her trust, he needed to deserve to be helped. She was not to be told, she was to be asked.

Salvador kept fighting for at least 15 minutes more, after that he grew tired of it. He knew that he could not win from the staff, which was in fact himself. He laid there on the ground, gasping for air as his heart was hammering against his chest. Still that white hot anger burning inside of him as he did not want to answer that girls question right now. Why would she give a fuck what the name was of his beloved queen? Even now, when he wanted to slowly crawl on his feet the staff was kicking him down. No standing for Salvador, not until he had truly calmed down.. the staff could easily keep him there until the man would die from starvation, thirst, or fatigue

He took in a deep breath, knowing that he was fighting a fight he could not win. So, finally he gave up and just lay there until he would be allowed on his feet. "Helena." he said, finally answering the question Melia had kept throwing at him. He rolled his head towards her and watched her, wishing to know why she wanted to know this. "Her name was Helena Ivanovna Diakonova." he said before taking a deep breath of air. "That is the name of the woman you were before this life, the name of the woman I greatly cared for" He looked up again at the ceiling and crossed his legs. He was to stay here for a while.. better get comfortable with it.

[Scottie]

Melia curled her hands into fists as he continued to fight the light. Did he want to harm her that much? His anger filled the room to near choking point, she wanted to leave. She so badly wanted to leave but she needed to know his answer. He finally stopped and she glared at him. She wanted an answer, she needed an answer. He was being a nuisance and refusing to speak to her. He stayed still and she heard a name float from his lips. Helena. It was like a white burning pain through her skull. Things became clear and pain flashed through her body. She folded in on herself and her knees hit the ground with a loud thump. The next words that left his lips made her hands hit the ground as she ended up on all fours with the pain. She had her mothers middle name, her great grandmothers first name. Her surname was burned into her mind and she could write it beautifully as she had done on every piece of paper that had hit her table in school. "N...N.No..." Her voice cracked as tears pattered against the cold floor. "That wasn't my name." Pain seared through her mind and she struggled to keep herself from lying on the floor. "My name was different." Her bottom lip wobbled and she let out a pitiful whimper. "M...My name was Helena Ivanovna Domènech." She even pronounced the middle name correctly. She could hear it echoing around her mind.

Melia scrunched her eyes shut tightly. "I...My...My name was Helena." She folded to the floor and pressed her head against the floor. "M..My name was Helena. My..." The pain slowly became bearable and she pushed herself to sitting slowly. Resting her back against the wall. Tears dribbled down her cheeks. "I went by Helena...Sometime Lena...but only few called her that." She curled her knees into her chest. She could remember the annoyance she felt when someone else called her that. When someone used her little nickname to put her down. Her name, it was her name. She knew it was. She mouthed it gently to herself and then her eyes went wide. "S...She...she gave him her name....in a way... My...Her...Her son...She called him Michael Diakonova Domènech. For he deserved to have a part of both families with him. He deserved to rule this land...like his father." She let out a painful sob and raised her hands to her forehead. "He..He was meant to grow old. I was meant to watch him run, learn, love...grow...I wanted to see him grow. He was meant to bury me...H...He...I..I couldn't even save him." She couldn't look up at Salvador, she was coming to terms with all the information that was flooding her mind. "S..I...I can hear him crying...I c..can hear him crying." Her hands pressed into her skull and she scrunched her eyes shut tight.

[Dark Pigeon]

It finally hit her, she finally seemed to understand that he was right, and who she had been. He felt his heart sink to the bottom of his chest when she realized it all, to hear that name brought such sorrow into his heart. He even felt sorry for Melia, mostly because she remembered the death of her son, of her little boy.. his little boy. He had not seen sadness in anyone if it came to this, only just because he was not sharing his torment with anyone. All he showed was his rage and the darkness that had swallowed him. Everything that reminded him of what once was he had hidden. Not a single piece of dust would remind him of his son or wife, he would not allow it. Anything that would remind him was destroyed, anyone that would do so as well was killed. Every single member of the household, all his soldiers, all his advisers.. every single soul that had ever laid eyes on them was dead because he had killed them.

He calmed down at that moment, or better say.. he was still angry, but he was feeling rather sorry for her. Hearing her break down like that, or better say.. his wife? He got confused, but it was enough confusion for him to clear his mind enough that the staff would let him move again. He was not yet allowed close to her. He was able to walk up to her until a certain point before the staff stopped him again. HE could talk to her without raisin his voice as he wished to talk to her, but far away enough that he could not touch her. "We.. we could not safe him." He corrected her as he looked down at the girl that lay on the floor a couple of feet away from him. She was a mess, and this time she was not crying because of him.. that was.. strange. "I.. I tried, trust me I did. I saw them stab you in the back as I was fighting hard to keep us alive. I.. you know.. I never been much of a fighter." He looked down at the floor in shame, he should have been able to do so but he wasn't. "They killed him before us, you tried to heal his wounds before he would die. But.. you.. you did not " He could not get himself to speak, he was fighting against his own tears.. tears he was not going to let free. "They.. those cowardly dogs stabbed you when you were holding a dying child in your arms. They did not care what they were doing. Killing a child, what monster kills a child!" He shook his head violently, even he did not kill children. He sat down on the bed as he watched Melia. "What do you remember now.. tell me.. tell me what you know"

[Scottie]

Her bottom lip continued to wobble, "I could have..I was so close...A..If..She had a few more seconds..." Her voice trailed off and she buried her face in her hands. They stabbed her in the back. The cowards. "T...the bastards....The cowardly bastards." Sorrowful rage filled her voice as her hands remained over her eyes. "THE BASTARDS." Her hands dropped for eyes and she slammed her fists into the ground beside her. "They went for a child....I....I managed to heal the first one." Her right hand rose to her neck and she touched the scar gently. "I...I don't know what I remember." Her body trembled and she snapped her red eyes to him, watching him sit on the bed. Melia sniffled loudly and tried to wipe away some of her tears. "I can remember that day. Waking up...forgetting my book...he wore blue that day...to match his eyes." New tears dribbled down her neck, collecting under her chin. She let her legs flop down before her as she felt a little more comfortable with the light protecting her.

"I..He was such a small baby. His fingers could barely fit around my pinkie. He had my hair, I knew it from the moment I saw him. Beautiful fluffy red curls." She let her eyes drag up to focus on the staff as she spoke. "I can remember strawberries. That poor cook...He could never keep me from them.. I can remember running down a corridor with a punnet under my arm. I..I can" Her eyes slowly closed as she continued to speak. "I don't see everything...It's only little snippets. Its like it's not all there." Her forehead creased gently. "I can remember silly things. Like someone tugging on my foot from under a pile of covers...it was too cold that day. Or walking round these halls, my back hurting as my belly was swollen." She shook her head gently, "I can see it as clear as I can my own memories. I can see his eyes as clearly as I could my sisters." She dragged her eyes open and slowly pushed herself up to her knees and then to her feet. "I..It unravels like an old jumper." She said softly as she moved closer to him. The light bent with her until it slowly faded away, giving her a path to walk through.

"One little thing starts another...and then another..I can feel my mind unravelling." She stopped before him, her hands clutched before him. "I see blue and I see baby blue walls. I see blueberries on top of a cream cake. I see blue skies and the scream of seagulls." The tears couldn't stop as they continued to dribble down her cheeks and onto her nightgown. She moved to the bed and slowly sank down beside him. "I see green...I see your eyes filled with such hope, the way they looked when she told you she was with child. The green of grass...the green of your dress robes." She sniffled again and turned her eyes towards him. "I...s..She..sees red." She stopped and rested her forehead on his shoulder. It felt right to do so. Like she had done it a million times when she felt drained or in need of comfort. "I..Please don't make me think of red." Her words stammered from her lips as scrunched her eyes shut tight.

[Dark Pigeon]

He was in turmoil. He both wanted to stop her from saying another word as it was to painful. But he also wanted to hear every single thing she remembered. He watched her, pain and sadness spread over his features as he looked positively defeated by what was going on. Why had her soul been doing this, why had it come back? The change of it all was so very small, it as almost impossible. He surely did not understand, and he knew a thing or two about souls, he had created a freaking soul-mirror remember! He did his best not to break down as he heard her talk about his.. their.. his... so confusing. He did not want to break down as she spoke of Michael, perfect small Michael. With his curly red hair and perfect blue eyes. How he was already walking and running around, how he had his horrible tantrums when he could not make anyone understand him. Or how he would fall asleep on his fathers lap as he sat on the throne. Michael truly had felt like their little miracle, the darling prince that would grow up being loved, and to learn to spread love himself.

He watched her come closer, truly not expecting it. He wanted to get of the bed and away from her, but something was stopping him. Not the staff, somehow he wished to sit there... feel her close. He let out a shaky breath as she sat right next to him, and he felt that he was being broken into pieces when she rested his head against his shoulder... like his Helena would, even her hand were folded the same strange way.. how she would link her pinkies together. "I.. " He took in a shaky breath, even he did not want to think of red anymore, he did not want to see those pictures in his head that reminded how he had failed his wife and child so miserably. "I. tugged your feet from under the blankets.. But.. only because you would always push your cold feet against my back. You truly were a pain .. such a wonderful but horrible wife" He said, he let out a small cry. Telling this out loud was making him feel as miserable as he had felt the day he had lost them. HIs whole body was shaking, he seemed years older than he was as he nearly collapsed in on himself. "The cook.. he.. he would hide those st. strawberries. You al.. always found them. He even once but something on it.. something laxative. in .. in the strawberry pie you stole... You.. you had been sitting on the t.. toilet all day." He laughed, only to fight of his tears harder after it. He wanted her to remember anything else but the red, he needed those silly stories himself as well.

He hessitated before he placed his hand on hers. He knew that Melia wasn't his wife, she was an entire different person. He might not even ever love her. She could have entire different tastes, she might hate strawberries instead of adoring them like she would have in another life. But to have her sitting there, that same soul.. he could not but hope that she was the very same person. That somehow he had been given a second change with her. "Michael, w.. when he was born. It.. it as on a lovely spring day. The.. the flowers were blooming. You had been in bed for days, your back hurting as you .. she.. had been in labor for a few days already. I.. I feared you might miss our favorite flowers blooming. So .. so I brought them in. " He chuckled as he remembered it all so clearly. "You were so angry.. I picked flowers.. and you were in pain for such a long time. Michael.. he just did not want to come out. You threw a pillow at my head, telling me to.. fuck off... such a mouth you had" He shook his head and brushed away a few tears with his sleeve. "I never ran that hard in my life, and I had bullies chasing me around the school. But your anger, those pillows.. they hit me hard.. But at the end, when you lay there with the flowers keeping you company together with the midwifes, you calmed down.. and that day he was born. You still believed that he came out to see the flowers. That he loved them as much as you did"

[Scottie]

She kept her eyes closed. She heard his shaky breath and hoped like hell that he wouldn't make her move. She felt a little calmer like this. New tears prickled at her eyes when he said it was him that had tugged at her feet. She could feel him shake against her, she could not even imagine what he was feeling. She was his lost love...but she wasn't at the same time. She let a small smile tug onto her lips, she knew that he tried to hide them. She wrinkled her nose but liked hearing him laugh. She felt his hand touch hers and she snapped her eyes open. Staring at it as it lay in her grasp. He started to speak again and she found herself linking her fingers with his. Keeping her pinkies linked together but her soft fingers were linked with his. She tried to imagine it, she could remember pain. She wriggled herself a little closer so that her forehead could truly rest on his shoulder. She let out a small chuckle when she remembered throwing pillow after pillow at him. "They hit hard but labour was much worse." She muttered to him, remembering how he had pouted at being pelted by pillows.

The room had filled with sweet smelling flowers, bright reds and oranges. It felt like she was floating on flowers. "C...Calla Lillie's....Like a burning sunset." She said softly, remembering the bright red and oranges of the burning flowers. Melia rubbed her thumb over the back of his hand. "I...I can remember a winter day. A day when snow was crisp on the grass outside, the reds of the fire keeping us warm. He was wrapped head to toe in wool and sat on my lap....his hair was so soft...His eyelashes so long...finally he slept....S..She hadn't slept for two nights...I...I wouldn't let another tend to his crying. Though..that was the first time she had contemplated it." Melia sighed softly and slowly moved her head back from his shoulder. Her eyes still closed. "I...I can remember someone coming in...too loud...waking him" She chuckled gently, tears were dried on her cheeks but it was obvious to anyone that she had been crying. "I..She had never cursed at someone so quietly before. She dumped the baby in your lap before storming out...I can remember so many snippets." Her eyes slowly opened and she gave him a small sad smile. "I can see red...but it shows me lilies. It shows me roaring fires, it shows me rose petals on a bare wood floor. I see strawberries and...I see..." Her words trailed off and she lowered her eyes to their hands. "I'm sorry."

She licked her lips and waited before continuing. "It was not her time. She had so much more to live...I'm sorry that she didn't come back as another. I'm sorry that you cannot see her blue eyes or her hair in me." She let out a long sigh before flinching gently. Pain pierced through her neck and she snapped her eyes up to him. "W...What could the pain mean now?" She asked him, her words quiet.

[Dark Pigeon]

"Ah yes, Calla Lilies" He smiled thinking of them. The gardens had been filled with them especially for her. A gift he had given her when they were to be husband and wife. All kinds had been imported just for his queen. "Those are flowers for funerals! She had to hear that all the time, they were not the proper flowers for a lady to like. But she did not care, she loved them and she wished to have many of them growing in the gardens. And we had them, many of her favorites, and in all the colors I could find." It had been quite the scandal, flowers for the dead to celebrate the love that they had. It only added up on Salvador's reputation that he loved the dark more than he loved light. Which was absolute bullshit, is choice in magic said nothing about his true nature. He understood that, as had his wife. But many only wished to believe the lies that were spread about the young king. He slowly dragged his eyes up to Melia as she spoke of Michael. "Softest hair I have ever felt. And those eyes, my lord. They looked straight into my soul. When I held him I knew that there was nothing more important to life than him. For him I would die, I would give up my entire country.. my sanity. Everything for that small wonder that was resting in my hands"

Salvador was staring into nothing when he said that, not wanting to look to Melia as he remembered his son. His eyes were fixed on the walls before them. He listened to Melia as well as he could, how she was remembering his wife, her own past life. It was so strange to him to hear Melia speak of things she could not know, she knew details that even he had forgotten over time. Only to remember them again after she spoke of them. He smiled as she told him that she .. or her.. his queen. How she had been cursing up a storm because someone woke up the baby. "She had quite the mouth, she was a very temperamental woman. She would make any man run for his money, if she got angry.. you better run and hide. I have done so on many an occasion. But I loved her more and more because of it." He took his hand from her lap as she spoke again, hearing her say sorry because it had not been his wives time, how she was sorry that he could not see that wonderful woman in Melia. He glanced up at her and slowly rose to his feet, he needed to move as his bum was hurting after what the staff had done. He tilted his head and frowned, not understanding why she wanted to know something he did not have clear answers to. "That pain could mean many a thing. From your soul being frustrated that you still do not truly understand. It wanting to connect, but you not letting it. It can be angry at who its company is, down to it just being tired with all the bullshit it has to deal with. There can be many a reason for a soul to do that. And it differs per soul what it means. It is up to you to find out what your soul wishes to tell you.. not me. "

He walked around the room, he looked a bit stiff as the staff truly had given him a good old fashion beating. He would not be rubbing his bum in front of Melia, but it seemed as if he wished to do so.. it would help so much with the discomfort. "We need to discuss what we are to do with you from here on out. I do not feel like that working at the stables is fit for you. If you are to learn, then you are to do so every single day, and every single hour" He turned around and looked down at her, his hands held behind his back as he watched the girl sit there. He had many plans with her, and he wished to start as soon as humanly possible. "What say you, what is it that you desire right now.?" He asked her, though he asked her what she wished for.. she knew that she better be careful with what she was to ask for.

[Scottie]

Flowers for a funeral. Flowers for the dead. She nodded, dropping her eyes to her lap where his hand rested in hers. She could remember hearing that from multiple people. It was not fit for a queen. Sadness welled up in her chest when he confirmed that their...her son was beautiful. His eyes like the sky, she tensed her jaw and swallowed down her tears. She knew he would have died for that boy. He would have given his life if they stole him from them. But they took everything. They took him...they took her and they left him alone. Melia let out a small chuckle when he confirmed that his wife had the mouth of a sailor. He took his hand back and felt like she had been hit in the face. She felt this longing to have him close by again. She raised her eyes up to him and watched him frown. Frustrated, wanting to connect, angry. She gave him a small nod, this was something that she had to figure out herself. Melia couldn't expect him to know the answer to this.

He moved away and she dragged her knees up to curling against her chest. Melia noticed that he looked a little tense, perhaps it was the news or perhaps...it was a response to how many times the staff had thrown him. She rested her chin on her knees and watched him carefully. She didn't like this topic, she didn't want to be shipped around anymore. So because she was his wife reincarnated...the stables weren't good enough anymore. She kept silent and let him speak. Learning every single hour did not sound that bad. Surely it would get tedious, but she didn't mind learning. She liked having Vermin as a teacher. Melia let her grey eyes meet his grass green eyes and she held his gaze. "I do like helping the horses. But I would prefer to get to a level of reading that I can learn more about souls...and r..r.reincarnation." She sounded out the word hoping it was correct. "I do not mind staying in the stables. B.." She stopped and her forehead creased. "No..I'd prefer to stay in the castle." She said softly, the niggling sensation in the back of her mind telling her no.

"I remember more in these walls. Seeing little things I know." Melia said softly before letting out a small sigh. She dropped her knees back and pushed herself to her feet. She moved over to the wall where she had dropped her clothing. She picked up the clothing and held them against her chest as she stopped before him. "Where would you like me?" She asked, genuinely curious as to where he would place her. Where would he want the girl with his wife's soul?

[Dark Pigeon]

He gave her a harsh stern when she said that she did not mind having to stay in the stables. He was offering her to stay in the castle, she should be thanking him! He would have given her a piece of his mind, but she already stated that she wished to stay in the castle. Good girl, better not disappoint your damn king now! He nodded as he was content with her answer, she still needed to be polished up, but that could be arranged. If anyone was a good teacher it had to be Vermin, well.. after Salvador himself of course! But he was not to bother himself with teaching this simple minded girl. "Very well" he said as he slowly nodded, thinking of where he wished to have her. He was thinking about his bed, her nightgown off and her begging for more. Hell, he gave her that hungry look, he had not bed a girl in a few days now.. it was time he got some. But as he thought of the soul stuck in that worthless body, he changed his mind of having his way with Melia, and just have someone else being send to his rooms. It was still early, and his men could have a decent looking girl inside his rooms within no time at all. If anyone wondered where many of those girls ended. Those who survived, and he still desired to have, they were safely within the castle, waiting for the king to have them called to his rooms.

"You will remember more over time, and you will speak only with me about this. You will not even discuss this with Vermin.. do you understand?" He asked her sternly as he watched her like she was not even worthy of the dirt under his shoes. She was making him remember things he did not want to think about, and now he had enough of it.. his hatred towards her growing by the second at this very moment. He walked over to the door and knocked just ones, after which two maids walked into the room. They were absolutely terrified of the man and kept their eyes glued to the ground, awaiting as to what he demanded of them. "Bring her to the rose room, she is not to leave without my permission. Have her washed and bath, make sure she does not leave that room or so help you gods.. I will end the both of you" He snarled at the two young women. "Do not speak with her, keep your eyes to the ground and make sure that she has everything she needs before you close and lock the door behind her." The girls nodded and stepped aside so that Melia could leave the room. "I will see you in two days, to watch the progress you are making." Salvador said as he gestured for her to leave.

[Scottie]

Melia kept her eyes up on his, watching him figure out where to put her. She saw something new pass his gaze and took a small step back. She had seen that look before, in many men. In men that tried to brush her skin when she passed or haul her down an alley. They all learned soon enough that her poison laced tongue was accompanied by razor sharp nails and an anger like nothing they had ever seen. Red filled her cheeks as she dropped her eyes to the ground, she didn't know why it made her skin tingle but she didn't like it. Pain rumbled in her neck but she didn't inform him of it. She just kept still, thinking him to be like a snake. One that would eventually lose her if she stayed still enough. Melia dragged her eyes back up, just another peak...and she watched his hungry gaze slowly drift to a stern look and she nodded to his request. "Of course Sire." Her voice quiet and mouse like. Nothing like the woman she had been before. Melia watched him move and then knock once. Within seconds, two maids arrived. Both kept their eyes on the ground and she instantly felt such guilt when looking at them. Rose room, that sparked something floating through her mind. But it was gone as soon as it had flickered into life.

She does not leave that room. That got a frown from Melia. She was not a dog. Her internal monologue was swearing up a storm at him. Her rage filled eyes snapped to him and she let out a long shaky breath. "Good Night Sir." She said as politely as she could. Though her teeth were grinding as she left that room. Her clothing up against her chest as the maids closed the door behind her. One moved to scurry on ahead of her and the other stayed behind her. Melia was just turning the first corner when she heard two loud knocks on the door and a guard moved over to the room she had last been in. She did not get time to watch what happened for she was gently pushed around a corner. She walked in silence and felt her smile and curiosity drop to her feet. The woman took her on a trip around the castle to the Rose room but Melia knew the way. They could have let her go there herself and she would have found it in no time. Melia passed down the final corridor and heard a guard behind them. His clinking armour dancing through the corridor with them. The first maid entered the room and held the door open for her.

Melia stopped and refused to move until she saw where the guard went. She heard a knock and whispers....then a soft giggle before she felt a hand in the square of her back. She was pushed into the room and the two women set upon her. Taking the clothing away and then undoing her hair, getting her undressed and she was dunked into a bath before she could truly register the room. The women washed her hair harshly as Melia finally managed to take in her surroundings. Oh she had been here before. She didn't know when or how, but she knew it. It had had a new lick of paint and a few little pieces were added but she knew this room. She was treated like a child in that next hour, her nails clipped, her feet scrubbed, her hair dried and styled for the night. Dressed again in a night gown and when she finally managed to stop her head from spinning, they left...locking the door behind them. Melia knew that thinking...would drain her. Too many memories were spinning around her mind. So she padded to the bed, the thing was larger than her old room and clambered on. Pillows were pulled around her and she curled herself tight into a ball, letting the gentle wind send her off into a deep sleep.

[Dark Pigeon]

... next day...

Just before she would have fallen asleep she could hear the soft cries of what sounded like a woman. The sound had filled the otherwise silent hallways. Little did Melia know that Salvador was pleasuring himself with one of the many girls he had kept hidden from the public view. Girls that where his to do with as he so wished. Something that nobody truly wanted to endure.

The next morning she was woken up by two different maids as they opened the curtains and brought her some breakfast in bed. "Good morning mam, hope you slept well. It is a lovely day today. I hope you are feeling up for your very first day of learning." The oldest maid said as she pushed some pillows behind Melia's back so she could sit up right. The younger one just smiled gently as she made sure that the curtains hang just perfectly before she headed into the bathroom to prepare for what was to happen in there. The oldest put a lovely golden tray on Melia's lap and smiled gently as she gestured for her to start eating. Freshly baked bread, lovely marmalades, fresh fruit, juice, milk, tea, some sliced of cheese and meat to accompany the lovely smelling bread. These maids did not seem as terrified as the two maids that had brought her to the chambers the day before. "After breakfast we will help you get cleaned, dressed, and ready for your first lesson. Vermin is to collect you when we are ready. Your first lesson will start at 9.00. Which is in 1 hour and 30 minutes" the maid said calmly as she opened up a door so other maids could walk into the room.

Dresses were brought into the room, all sized and colors that Melia was to wear while being in the castle. Shoes, so many shoes.. it was just dazzling. Then undresses, underskirts, hoopskirts and so much more clothing. None of it seemed fit for a queen. But they seemed expansive none the less. A small man followed he maids. He had a round small head and was bold, only the sides of his head carried black hair that was combed back as it was worn into a ponytail. "AH! there she is.. yes.. yes.. no.. Take out those, that one, that one, .. definitely that one.. and ow ... my ... gods.. Why is this dress even here! THrow it out, burn it.. it.. it hurts my eyes" he said with a rather feminine voice as gestured towards certain dresses. He pushed his glasses back on his nose. The girls collected the dressed that needed to go and quickly ran out of the room, while the small man walked up to the bed to inspect Melia. "Hello, my name is Edgar Mode. I am the royal tailor..." He said as he bowed deep and inspected the shape of Meila under the blankets before looking over to the girls. "Take out the skinny dresses, she is .. well endowed and rather.. roundish" he said as he glanced over his glasses as he eyed her up and down again. "Yes... take the small ones out as well.. they will not fit! She be bursting out them when she breathes!!! GO GO!!!" he yelled dramatically as dresses started to leave the room in quite a tempo.

[Scottie]

... next day...

Sunlight assaulted her as she was happily asleep. Two young maids brought her breakfast and she dragged her eyes open slowly as she heard them speaking. They were allowed to speak, that must be something good. "Good Morning." Melia said softly feeling pillows being forced behind her back. Her hair hung around her face and she felt a heavy tray pushed into her lap. She blinked rapidly at the food before her. She recognised barely anything before her. The older maid pointed out a few things until Melia started to eat. She listened carefully as she munched on toast and marmalade. Cleaned, dressed, lesson. She felt fear push back against the toast when the other maids arrived. She clung the blanket close to her when more and more people entered. Clothing started to fill the room and her bottom lip wobbled. She didn't like this.

She wanted to wear her old dresses. These were too much. A man entered the room and her blanket hit her chin as she kept herself covered at all times. He started to point at things and she tried to hide behind the covers, waiting for him to point at her and throw her out with the shoes. "G..Good Morning." She gave him a small smile. Royal tailor. Why was he here. Her eyebrows shot up. Well endowed...well anyone could see that. But roundish. ROUNDISH. The covers dropped back to their right place. "And you are one to talk." She said with venom on her tongue. She scrunched her nose at him and the older maid stifled a giggle. Melia finished her breakfast and was tugged from the bed. She crossed her arms over her chest and waited for this small man to critic her again. "Corset." He said snapping at another maid who ran from the room. Melia was ready to strangle the man now. "Go get washed." He said shooing her away as the two original maids came back and took her to get washed and fixed her hair. Within a short half hour, she was scrubbed and pulled into a corset. She had an under dress on, an under wired cage and a over skirt. The man was tapping his foot as he walked around her, trying to figure out what dress to put over the skeleton he had created.

[Dark Pigeon]

The small man circled her as he tapped his upper lip, something was not right here.. he did not like the entire picture of the frame he had created to put his 'art' on. He stopped and tapped his foot angrily on the floor, this was not right! "The other corset, tighter!" He told the maids as he angrily started to pul on his own hair. This girl, her body.. it was impossible to work with! He was very impatient as the girls started to undo the corset that Melia wore, only to put on one that would press her breasts more against her chest. Not the waist though, that would just putt of the balance of it all! It surely would feel as if someone was trying to squeeze her breasts until they would pop! But as he watched her.. his new frame he just shrugged as he looked so very disappointed. "That.. well... I have to work with" He looked over his dresses again, his fingers trailing over the fabric as he muttered something about being so very disappointed, that he did not like working on big girls and that she should eat less.. though it would properly not work all that well.

"Try this one first" He said as he pointed out a soft pink dress with purple accents. It was a lovely work of art, and even though it looked incredibly expansive, it was just a 'daily' dress and nothing special. He watched as the girls put the dress on Melia, only so he could start crying as he tossed himself on the bed. "IMPOSSIBLE!!! NO NO TAKE IT OFF!!" he cried out. The maids froze, fearing that the man would wake up the beast that was their king. "now.. now! its.. horrible. She is not fit for that dress, she ruins it!" he said as he rolled on his back and let out a few sobs. The dress was taken off and gently placed on the bed where Edgar Mode was still having his mental breakdown. Only after a few minutes he rose to his feet again and pointed to a dark green dress with gold and brown accents. "Try that one" he said, nearly broken as he did not even dare to look at Melia as she was dressed. It took the girls a couple of minutes, but when they were done they let out a soft cough to let Edgar Mode know that the girl was ready. He turned around dramatically before glancing up at the girl. To a normal human being, Melia looked absolutely stunning! the dress fitted her well and felt comfortable, it was warm but not hot, and the skirts did not feel as heavy as the dress before it. The maids found her to look lovely, but they had no say in it.. Edgar Mode was THE man in the country if it came to dressing the king. He designed and made everything himself for his much beloved king. But this girl.. he looked at her and just shrugged. Still not impressed, but he needed to be done before Vermin would come to get her.

He walked around Melia, only tutting and muttering something about dressing a monkey.. and how nothing would ever look good on her. As he stood before her again he waved his hand and snapped his fingers a couple of times. "Hair up, the ... " he let out a dramatic sigh and shook his head even more. "The simple works.. I will not have the better hairpins been stuck in what this girl calles.. hair.. dear lord. Did a cat vomit on your head girl? It.. We will work on that tonight, it needs to be worked on. I .. just .. I feel sick now... " He said as he dry heaved before he turned around to leave the room. "Get her ready. I be in my rooms trying to get this.. thing.. out my head!"

[Scottie]

Breathing. That would be nice. But the way the whale bones pressed against her chest, it was not a possibility. She could barely drag a breath in when he started to mutter about something. She narrowed her eyes at him and wanted to kick him in his round bum. She felt the first dress pulled over her head and was half hidden by the material when he screeched that it be removed. She felt tears prickle when he told her she wasn't fit for that dress. She wasn't fit for many things yet here she was. Her eyes narrowed at him when he crashed to the ground and sobbed into his arms. She felt a new dress pulled over her head and she let the girls move her like a doll. She felt a little defeated by the whole process but she preferred this dress. It wasn't bright pink and it wasn't heavy. She caught the sight of the older maid who gave her a small smile and she knew this dress would probably stay on her frame for the rest of the day. The goblin of a man rolled his eyes and seemed as defeated as she did.

Her hands curled into fists and she wondered if the king would be displeased...if she lamped that little git one. Hair up. Melia went to protest but her hair was already tugged up. "Hold your tongue you horrible man." Her words came out faster than she expected. It felt like poison dribbling from her tongue as she watched him leave the room. He obviously cared little for her and would allow the maids to continue with her. The maids slowly left the room save for two. The two who had woke her up. The older maid helped her with her hair and ignored the horrid scar that ran along her neck. "Don't worry about him. He likes perfection." Melia nodded and tried to push that horrible man from her mind. "I think your teacher will be along soon" The maids collected the dirty towels and left her in her room. Melia watched the door before allowing herself a small glance in the mirror. She did not recognise the woman...or well she did. But she had the wrong hair....and eyes....and her body was slighter than hers. Melia did a small spin in her room and dragged her hands up her body, it suited her well this dress.

It was a soft chap on the door that told her someone was there to collect her. Vermin did not comment on her dress but she could tell that he thought she looked different. Melia was led off to her lessons, it took her a while to get used to walking wearing a steel cage under her dress. It took her time to get used to the rustle of her dress as she walked. Vermin's lesson was swimmingly and even lasted an hour longer than expected. She was learning at a rate faster than he had ever thought possible. Her one question was answered and she was informed that Becky was now out of her bed and sitting in the kitchen for meal times. She was then whisked back to her room. Before she was locked in again, the maids asked her what she wished to do for the day. She wanted to make something so they left her in the room to arrive an hour later with handfuls of paper, pencils and paint. The maids tugged her out of the main dress and allowed her to wear an old ratty dress as she drew.

Over and over again, the same flower. In different positions, in different lights. She was able to do small stick figures when she was a girl. As she grew, Melia realised she could draw a reasonable bird...or flower. Now. Being here. It was something different. It was like the paint called to her. She let her mind float and drew what her heart saw. She continued and continued until the entire desk was filled with drawings. Dinner came and went. She was still drawing when the maids returned to undress her for bed. Edgar returned and she scowled at the small man as he tore a brush through her hair. Cutting at chunks that he thought needed to leave. When she finally lay in bed without the heavy dress or her hair being torn out her scalp....she stared at the ceiling and let memories float to her like a gentle river. She was remembering sweet strawberry kisses when sleep caught her.

[Dark Pigeon]

Days passed which were filled with hours of lessons. From reading that Melia picked up rather well. Art, after seeing how she painted Vermin hoped she would love to hear about the masters themselves, etiquette and speech. Vermin proved himself to be a very knowledgeable and kind teacher that never raised his voice or got impatient with Melia. He always smiled, he loved to tell her about the history of this kingdom and the many kings before Salvador. He taught her everything she wanted to know, and encouraged her to ask him many questions.. but only one each day about Becky or the others. Becky was doing better, she did not get further than the kitchen as she feared hurting herself. She was eating well and the pain had slowly become less. She was still not coming to terms, never to see her daughter, husband or baby boy ever again was very hard on her. Being reminded of it would make her cry and send her to slowly become more and more depressed with the entire situation.

Today was the day that Melia was to speak with her king again. Edgar Mode had put her into a dress that he had designed for her especially. One that would hide the fact that she had round hips and breasts and into a more slender form. All was done with beautiful detailed embroidery and cleverly added strips. It truly was a lovely dress, but Edward Mode would not be Edward Mode if he would make Melia feel bad herself or the dress he had to make so she would not look like a .. and I am quoting the man "A dressed pregnant cow with utters like moons' . The maids had gotten more and more accustomed to Melia, and had informed her that she looked absolutely lovely in that dress.. and that all of them wished that they had her body. Edgar just liked twigs, extremely thin people, that was his thing.. nothing for Melia to ever be concerned about.

Vermin was to come and get Melia. Edgar had just left the room crying -again- which was absolutely no surprise to the small imp as he opened up the door to go and see Melia. As he looked up at her he was smiling from ear to ear, his cheeks burning as he brushed his hands over his small bald head. "My.. you look... " He walked over to her and gestured for her to twirl around for him. As she did so his smile only grew, he truly loved to see that dress on Melia "So pretty. That dress truly is lucky to be worn by you " He said gently as he smiled from ear to ear. "Come" he said as he gestured for her to come with him. "You have long day, many thing to do. King is bad.. bad.. baaad... mood. He hear bad new, he hear army is entering country.. that his army lost battle.. very important battle. Many wounded men, many soldier died. I think, he not want to see you. But he say that he see you.. and I not get to tell him anything." Vermin said as he shrugged his little shoulders as he walked through the long dark hallways.

[Scottie]

Melia should be regarded as a saint now. For not raising a single finger towards that man. For not knocking him out when he called her a cow...or pregnant. She had started to refuse to leave the room, it was a fight for she believed she looked hideous. It was only when the maids around her told her to not pay him any mind that she would leave the room. The dress she wore that day was stunning and even Melia had to admit that it was beautiful. It suited her but it hide her true form. It hid her chest and her birthing hips...but she was what that man wanted. So be it. All those horrible comments went when Vermin entered the room. She watched the colour of his cheeks reach his little bald head and she grinned at him. She twirled at the material picked up around her. She bent down to see him and let out a small sigh. "Thank you Vermin. I appreciate that." She said sweetly and took his hand gently in hers. She gave his hand a small squeeze and kept it in her grip as he led her from the room. Long day. She knew that. She had mentally prepared herself for this day. Bad mood. Oh that made her want to turn around, rush back to her room and hide there.

Her smile slowly faded from her lips as he gave her the bad news. An army was entering the country, they had lost a battle. She had hoped that he wouldn't wish to see her...but to hear that he did. Oh that made her soul hit her feet. She followed him through the corridors and let the conversation change to something else. Vermin rambled to her happily about what he had for breakfast. Sausages and a pancake. He was very happy with it. Melia liked that the conversation had changed to something lighthearted and entered his room to go through her lesson. She smoothed out her dress and took the small book back into her grip as she read out paragraph after paragraph. After her reading lesson, she swivelled in her seat and let him teach her numbers. Simple addition and subtraction. Then some further history of the land. She had never asked about the King's wife because...she was scared what the answer may be. But she let him teach her. He told her about the Kings father. About the council he had, the governments throughout the land and the laws around farming etc. Melia took mental notes...especially when something flared up in her memory. She ate a small lunch with Vermin. She though that the bastard Edward was making her thin by starving her with small meals.

It was a simple soup with a crusty roll. Vermin lapped his meal up quickly and Melia was careful to not spill a single drop on her dress. When they were finished, Vermin brought a maid in for a final touch up. Melia's hair was tugged a little tighter, the corset was replaced tighter and the dress was tugged back into place. Her face was cleaned free of all soup and bread crumbs. Her lips were scrubbed until they held that pink glow and she was given a final glance over before being left with Vermin again. "Vermin...W..what do i do to make him happy?" She asked as Vermin shooed her from the room. He frowned and thought for a moment. "I..I don't know. He like certain things. But be careful, watch words, show Vermins teaching. You be good." He said sweetly as he lead her through the corridors. Melia could feel the tension fill the air as she got closer to the room where he was. Vermin rolled his shoulders back before knocking the door twice. Only when he received an answer would he open the door to let Melia in. "Your highness. I brought Melia for review." He said, his nose nearly brushing the floor from how low he was bowing.

[Dark Pigeon]

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/62/97/eb/6297eb285ecb29fbd714b7040556e953.jpg

The man that sat in the office looked very different than the Salvador that Melia had met before. He hardly wore any greens but most black leather and silks that fitted him just perfectly. Even his staff and turned from its beautiful golden and blue to black. Salvador was in the company of a few of his counsel men, men that had the latest information as to how the war was going. They knew more of the land that they had lost and how far his enemy had gotten into his lands. More men would be leaving the castle today, men that were to fight for their king. If they did not, their family's would be punished for their betrayal and for being cowards. The counsel men left the room as Melia entered with their heads hanging low. They had been given into trouble for failing their king. If they lost another battle their heads would be on pikes decorating the city walls.

Salvador got of his chair when the door closed behind the last counsel man leaving the room. His eyes scanned over Melia, how she was wearing a new dress that fitted her just perfectly. He would rather have seen more of her round shape, but he could tell Edgar Mode about that. Salvador liked him those round shapes, her ample bosom and lovely round birthing hips. He inspected her as if she was a piece of meat while his hands were behind his back as he walked around her. Vermin was still bowing down deeply as he noticed that the door opened, and how he was kicked into the hallway before Salvador closed the door without saying a single word. Poor Vermin rolled through the hall and let out a soft cry has he hurt is back when he made contact with the hard stone wall.

He was content with the way Melia looked, and if he had been anything close to a Gentleman he would have complimented the way she looked. She truly was a lovely girl to look at, even Salvador had to admit that.. but he would not do so. "It has been a interesting couple of days has it not?" He asked Melia as he had been kept up to date with everything that had happened. He knew of her painting, her dislike towards Edgar Mode, how her reading was improving, and the lessons she had received. He walked up to his desk and picked up the small book she had been reading before, the one about pirates and adventures. "Read the first two paragraphs" he told her before he walked over to his spot by the window.

[Scottie]

Vermin gave her a small tug into the room as her feet felt like they were made of lead. He looked terrifying. The darkness was overpowering, gripping at her throat and filling her pores. The staff wasn't right. It looked wrong. The men that surrounded the table glancing only once at her and she dropped her eyes to the floor. She could hear them walking by her and a door closing behind them. Melia did her curtsy as soon as he stood, she could hear the chair as it scraped back. Her fingers touched the dark cold slate floor and she slowly rose herself back up to standing. She dragged her eyes up to see him and rested her clasped hands before her stomach. She hated how he was watching her, how his eyes trailed over every inch of her body. She stopped herself from flinching when Vermin was kicked from the room. But her jaw tensed, it was all she could do to stop her tongue from lashing out at him. Her hair had been beautifully piled up in loose curls, with small flowers and pins. But it only made her scar obvious to anyone who glanced at her.

"Yes Sire." She said softly. Melia was unsure how this meeting would go. She hadn't seen him for a few days, she had the soft crying once more but she couldn't bring that up to him. She kept the polite smile on her lips as he walked away from her, but she could not stop her excitement when he handed her the book she had read previously. She nearly bounced on her heels as she opened the book back up. "Two paragraphs. Of course." She was a little annoyed that he was being so restrictive. But she would do as he asked. So she took in a long breath and started. Her reading had improved immensely. She didn't struggle with pronouncing the larger words. The pirates had landed and there on the page was the first spoken word. Perhaps it was the story sucking her in, or giddiness from her nerves. But she spoke with the accent she thought the character would have. Rolling her r's and giving the snake character a small hiss with every S word he spoke. She easily got to the end of her second paragraph and closed the book.

She stared at the cover with a smile. She let out a soft chuckle as she thought of the silly accent she had done. Why had that come to her? Why put on an accent? Something prickled in her mind, it used to make someone laugh. She presumed it would be Michael. She could imagine his laughter, how it was like a ringing bell. So clear and perfect. He would squeal with laughter when she made silly faces so it was obvious that he would do the same with her silly voices...right? Melia held the book with both hands and dragged her eyes back up to him. She still had that goofy excited smile on her lips. She had done better than last time and she was looking forward to reading another paragraph and another. She wanted to steal the book away and read it when she was locked in her room, but she did not want to know the punishment that would come from that.

[Dark Pigeon]

It looked like he was dipped into smoke and ashes. Darkness seeped off him while his hand was gently holding his even darker staff. The very thing seemed to drip liquid smoke that fell down in heavy looking droplets before they disappeared into nothing. He looked even paler and skinnier than he normally did. His startling green eyes resting deeper into his skull as he watched the people walking past the stables. He stood there motionless, listening to her reading his favorite childhood book. He slowly looked her way when she started to use voices, accents. She used the exact same accents as his wife had when she tried to joke about the book he had loved so much as a child. He should have gotten angry at his wife, but all he had done was laugh. Laugh because he loved it how she made fun of his book, and still managed to make it sound so fucking great to him. She had loved another book, one about two dogs that went on a adventure as they tried to run away from some evil mages that had done experiments on them. So when Melia made fun of his book as his wife had, he wasn't sure to lash out to her or not. Instead he listened to her until she quit, and as she closed the book and held it before her he slowly walked back up to her and watched the book, but did not take it from her.

"Why the voices" he asked her as he leaned towards her while resting his weight on his staff. His eyes looked cold, filled with darkness, but concern as well. She knew those eyes, she had seen them in a live long gone. They always had that slight hint of concern. Salvador always had been a little winde up but that came with his job. He tilted his head slightly, still wondering if he had to get cross with her or not. He so badly wanted to take out his anger to someone, he had done so the last few days and still that sensation did not leave. "The accents, why did you choose to use them." He asked her as his cold fingers touched her cheek, and slowly trailed down to the neckline of her dress. He followed his own fingers with his eyes as he rested his hand around the fabric, he felt it between his fingers. He liked that dress. He looked up at her again, his fingers now letting go of her dress as he stepped closer to her. She could feel his breath in her neck as he stood toe to toe with Melia. "Tell me, do you like the book... what do you think will happen next.?" He asked her, his voice soft as he whispered in her ear.

[Scottie]

She had not expected that reaction. She expected a steely glare or a frown. But this was different. She kept a tight grip on the book, her knuckles turning white. She opened her mouth to speak but couldn't form an answer. Why had she chosen the voices? Melia locked her steel grey eyes on his and lost herself in a sea of green. She heard him but her mind was struck by a cold sensation. His fingers brushed her cheek and she stammered out an answer. "I..T..They felt right..L..Like that was how they were meant to sound." Her words continued to tremble as his fingers dropped down to the neckline of her dress. His eyes dropped from hers and the spell was broken. She blinked rapidly, feeling him touch her dress. Pick up the material between his fingers. She felt like she could breathe again but the breath was taken from her when he stepped closer. She could feel his breath against her skin. "Y...yes.." She stammered out a response. "I...I...I" She closed her eyes and let out a long sigh. "I think they'll get on the ship...Leave to the island to find the treasure. I think that the prince will fall for the pirate queen..." Her words trailed off.

Her feet hung over the arm of the chair, she held the book in her grip as she threw him a cheeky grin. "Oh my dear Humprey. You think you can match my sword skills." She gave the pirate queen a heavy accent as she kicked her legs out. "Her sword clinked against his like a glass of wine. She twirled around like a ballet dancer, in the confusion...Well she got his sword didn't she?" She wriggled from the chair, keeping one hand on the book as she gestured widely to the man stifling laughter in the corner. "Silly land lubber. You can never beat me in the sword battle. She heckled the poor man. Fine. Came the response. I shall beat you in the battle of wits. And when I win...Oh wicked pirate queen. I shall have your heart." The prince had a snobbish voice and liked to gesture widely to get his point across which she managed to display perfectly. The giggles continued and she smirked, "Do you not like my reading Salvador?" She smirked at the man who sat in a deep red armchair. "Shall I leave it there...With the prince trying so desperately to get that woman heart?" The response was a resounding no so she twirled and continued. "You cannot have my heart! It belongs to the sea, you land lubber you."

"He falls for her first doesn't he?" Melia asked him, her words as gentle as his. "This wonderful woman. With a spirit as free as the sea. Untameable. But why tame the sea? Why stop it's beauty from crashing around you?" She wanted to brush her fingers over his cheek but she refrained from doing so. Instead she kept her eyes on him, feeling his breath brush her neck. "Do you like the book King Salvador?" Perhaps it was how close he was to her or perhaps it was the bright green of his eyes. But his name curled perfectly in her mouth.

[Dark Pigeon]

Salvador picked up Melia's hand and gently kissed the inside of it before he rested it against his cheek. He closed his eyes, imagining that had to be from someone else as he relished in the warmt that came from Melia's soft hands. He leaned in against the touch as he kept her hand on his cheek, giving her little choice but to have her hand touching his cold face. How he wished for her to freely touch him. How she would rest her hands against his body because she wished to be close to him. How he did not want to force this particular girl to do anything she did not want because she had something he desired over everything in this rotten world, her soul. He wanted Melia to be the pirate queen, a free minded woman that was not raised with the rules and responsibilities that held her prison in a future that was laid out for her. His wife had been her, in every sense of the way. She was free minded, could fight, swore like a sailor, was very intelligent, and she loved Salvador for who he was. While he so badly wanted to be that prince once again, but this time he would leave with his pirate queen and leave the responsibilities of having to rule an entire country to someone else. Never would he be the king, never had he to sit through so many meetings and war counsels. Instead he would go on adventures and be free, free to follow the wind and travel the seas and never to look back at his troubles. "He falls for her indeed" Salvador said as he opened his eyes to stare into her steel grey eyes. "He wishes to follow her in her many adventures but he has his responsibilities. Such conflicts, the turmoil of having to choose between his families honor, or his heart." Salvador said as he let go of his staff so his free hand could rest on Melia's waist. He kissed the inside of her hand again and let it rest against his cheek once again. Any other woman he would have taken right now, do as he pleased and have her tossed out of his office like dirty laundry. But Melia, no, not Melia..

"I will not give you any spoilers of how the book is to end, or about the adventures they will have. You are to find that out by reading the book" He told Melia as he let his hand let go of her so she could do with it as she pleased. He looked down at the book that was between their bodies and brushed his finger over its cover. "It was my childhood favorite. I have read it time and time again. When I had finished I would read it all over. The first one, I read it so much that the cover gave way and pages would fall out. How I cried, such sorrow.. when a page went missing. I was heartbroken, and staid like that until I got a brand new one.. this time I was more careful. " He tapped his fingers on the book and looked up. "There is no book in the world that I have read as much as I did this one. It is the first of the six books that followed. All about pirates, but all with different characters and stories. I loved them all, but none of them I loved as much as the very first one" He said as he rested his forehead against hers as he looked at the book. "Come" he said as he brushed his fingers over the book once again. "I have something you need to see" he said to her as he took a hold of his staff again and gestured her to follow him.

They walked in silence for a few minutes while he lead her through the many hallways. She could sense where they were going, she did not know where.. but she could not help but to smile more and more as he kept walking before her. They met nobody on their way, it was almost as if the entire castle was told that not a damn soul was to cross their king and Melia that day. Salvador looked behind him every now and then, noticing that smile as he kept walking. That was the response he had seen before, he knew almost right away that her soul was telling her that she truly wanted to follow him.. that they needed to go to this specific room that was.. right.. here. He stopped before two heavy wooden doors and turned around on his heels. "Now.. tell me Melia.. what is behind this door? Why are you smilling, why are you exited.. while you do not know what there is to find? " He asked her as he did not open those doors.. not until she told him where they were.

[Scottie]

Her body tensed up when he took her hand, his lips brushed her skin and she froze. Was she back in another memory? What was happening? He leaned into her hand and she could feel how cold he was against her warm skin. She didn't know what to do. How should she react? She didn't want him to grow angry..so she relaxed her mind and did what felt natural. She let her hand grow loose against his cheek and let her thumb rub against his skin. It felt so natural and right, it prickled across her neck and she knew that she was doing right by her soul. Melia tilted her head gently when he opened his eyes, staring deep in his dark green eyes. "Oh." She said softly, she had hoped that he would stay with her..the prince that is. She felt his hand rest against her waist and then his lips brush her hand. Her hand shook against his skin, not from fear...No it wasn't fear tingling through her. Her cheeks took a lovely pink tint as she felt warmth spread throughout her body.

She nodded gently, accepting that he would not spoil it for her. When he let go of her hand, she didn't drop her hand. It remained against his cheek, her fingers light against his skin. She dropped her eyes to look at the book as well, she had recognised the dark green cover the very first day he had given it to her. A small smile tugged onto her lips, a childhood favourite. One that held so many happy memories of lives long passed by. She only raised her eyes when he did. His forehead rested against hers and she felt her stomach flip. These were all such small intimate gestures. She had never experienced this before...and it was throwing her off. Her nose brushed his and wanted to stay like this for a little longer but he moved back. Plucking his staff up as she dropped her hand from his face. Melia followed him like a loyal puppy. Her eyes on the ground, she recognised the route but it was murky in her mind. She was too busy thinking of how gently he had held her. How he had taken her hand and his lips brushed her palm. She was taken back to her first kiss. How he tasted of fruit...so sweet.

It was only as they passed a familiar painting that she was brought back to reality. Excitement bubbled deep within her and she struggled to hold back her smile. She knew this route, she knew it like the back of her hand. She nearly bounced along the corridor as they got closer and she wanted to squeal loudly. But he stopped. Oh the pout that lay on her face. She wanted to go inside. "Happiness." She said bluntly. "I..I do know...Countless nights were spent here. Every book that was ever made is found on those shelves. It's a book place." She fell short on the name, for not a soul in her family would know what a library was. "It is where the books are home." Her forehead crinkled as she struggled upon the word. "Umm..." She chewed at her bottom lip as she gave him a concerned look. "It's...it's where she spent a lot of her time. Hidden behind shelves, she struggled to reach the tops ones and...I would open topple off chairs as I tried to get them myself....It's where books live..." A tremor of hope rang through her voice, she knew that room like the back of her hand but she could not place the name. She hoped he would tell her. She hoped he would put her mind at rest.

[Dark Pigeon]

Happiness, she did not know what was behind this door and she said happiness. It brought a small smile upon his lips, as he himself was glad to hear that she did not fear what was to come. She remembered, or better say.. her soul was telling her not to worry and that all would be okay once she was past these doors. She knew that there were books in the large spaced room that they were to enter, she knew that every single book once written was standing on those shells. She was right, there was not a book in the world that Salvador did not know about, and if he did not know it, he would make sure that it would appear in his enormous Library sooner than later. He could not help but to roll his eyes as she did not know a word as simple as Library, and just called it a place where books lived. "We.. " he corrected Melia as she stated that his wife had spend much time here. Truth be told, her time in the library was far more than his. He had a land to rule, meetings to go to, and many .. so many audiences with whom ever wished to speak to their king. "We spend much time in this... place where books live" he told Melia, strangely enough he did not want to correct her if it came to the word Library. "There is not a book on those shelf's that I have not read, but my wi... Hell.. " He looked up at the large doors as he could not get himself to say the next words. "Yes, she spend much time here. More than I have. When I would be bothered by my tasks as a king, she would hide herself here and try to be ahead of me when I came to reading books. "

He stepped forward and held his hands out to the doors, they opened without him ever laying a hand on them and turned around so he could see Melia's reaction when she would get to see the Library for the very first time. Slowly the doors showed the secret that laid behind them as a giant library came into view for Melia. Salvador stepped aside so she could enter on her own, so she could suck up the experience of being surrounded by countless amount of books surrounding her. It was everything any lover of books would dream about. The entire space was almost as big as the courtyard outside was, with bookcases full of books decorated the high walls that went up to a lovely stained glass ceiling that magically casted a light throughout the entire library, light that was perfect to read a book under. The walls seemed to never end, several balconies with ivory banisters were build into the library so that you always had easy acces to every single book. Tall pillars kept everything from crashing into each other, each and every single one decorated with Mosaic mandala's that were so colorful that they demanded to bee seen. The large marble stones, grey, black and white that were set to into stars across the floors that went throughout the entire library. The bookcases were enormous, especially on the ground floor. Tall ladders were mounted across the top of them, so one had easy acces to the books that stood all the way up. The wood of the bookcases had a lovely warm brown color, and were decorated with gold and woodcarvings. Tall curved stairs that ran around tall golden pillars were build to bring the readers to the upper levels. With lovely ivory decorated banesters that fitted perfectly with those of the balconies that ran throughout the entire length and width of the library itself. There were reading spots all over the library floor, and on the balconies. You never had to walk far to sit down and enjoy the book that you had found. For those who wanted to study, and read several books at a single time, large desks stood around the library as well.

Salvador slowly followed her in, his face betrayed that he was nervous as to what her reaction would be. He should not be caring, but somehow he did. He hoped to see that smile that he had seen the first time he brought his future wife into the library. She had books at home where she grew up, but nothing had prepared her for what she had seen when she visited the Library inside the castle. This was the one place in the castle that was not affected by his magic, he did not want it to be. It was full of light and warmt, it as colorful and absolutely breathtaking. The Library itself was one of the oldest parts of the castle and had been rebuild a few times to expand it. There was no room, no space in the castle that was bigger, nor had taller walls or ceilings that seemed to go towards the heavens themselves. "This is the largest .. book home.. " he said as he tried to look around Melia so he could see her face. "In the entire kingdom, and bigger than many other kingdoms have. There is no book in the world that I do not have. In any language, even those who have been lost. Books ritten by any race, any creature that walks the world that has put a pen to paper. You will find each and every single one of them right here" He said as he gestured around the Library.

[Scottie]

Melia felt like he was correcting her and snapped her eyes to him. We, that was right...to an extent. She remembered sitting in this room herself, not another soul to interrupt her time reading. She felt a small smile tug on her lips when he called it a place where books live. He wasn't chastising her like a child...though really...how would someone with her background know the word library. She followed his eyes and truly looked at the door. How it was beautifully carved, dragons and birds littered the woodwork. Melia wanted to comment that she always had been ahead...but knew it would be taken wrong. Excitement bubbled from deep within her as he opened the doors. Even the way the doors opened was magical. The entire room was magical. He stepped aside and she shuffled in to the well lit room. Her smile dropped, allowing her mouth to hang wide open. She had never seen such a room. It was beautiful. Every corner was filled with books. It was massive...it was the size of her village...she would swear it. Slowly...a grin appeared, tearing at her cheeks and it felt like it would split her face open. Her gaze hungrily sought everything to be seen, slowly spinning herself so that she took everything in. It was mind blowing, the colours hurt her eyes and the memories hurt her mind.

Melia could remember...days whizzing across the bookcases on a staircase. Pulling at books until she had enough to make a small fort. Each one would be read by the time he joined her. It looked big enough....that her entire village could use it. It looked like it would have made the perfect school. They had wanted it to be the perfect school...but for only one pupil. Her eyes flicked over the desks and then back up to the marble columns. She was lost for words, unable to truly give this masterpiece the praise it deserved. Her smile only seemed to get bigger as she rushed forward, not touching anything but truly looking at the spines of books, then bouncing over to a column, then back to reading nook. All over. Her eyes snapped to him and she was fast to get back to hear him. Her eyes were filled with that childlike innocent and excitement. "It must be the biggest one in the world." Every book. Her eyes flicked from him and she could see them. The areas were they were in foreign tongues. The area where it held only battle plans from kingdoms long lost. Those written by the fair folk of the third peaked mountain. "I..It's beautiful." She felt like her heads would roll from her head, she was just so frantic to look around her. "It...It's like nothing I've ever seen."

Her fingers fidgeted behind her back. She so desperately wanted to rush out and grab every book. Spend hours pouring over sentence after sentence until she could understand them. "You are so lucky Sir." Melia settled her eyes on a fireplace far in the corner, a collection of small beanbags and big thick red armchairs sat welcoming anyone in. It was perfectly put, able to catch the reading light and feel the warmth on your toes. It wasn't easy to see from the door and so it required people to truly come in to find you. She tilted her head as she felt some sort of deep longing for the reading nook there. Melia shook her head softly and returned her gaze to him. The large smile snapped back onto her face. "Do you come here often?" She asked him sweetly, her grey eyes filled with light. "It's the perfect place to come...and escape...escape everything. Lose yourself in another world...filled with diamond people or...water spouting dragons...or men that cause flowers to grow in seconds." The stories kept drifting back, like she was getting only snippets into their pages.

[Dark Pigeon]

A small smile appeared as he watched Melia's amazement with the Library and all the books inside it. He watched her as she twirled around on her feet so she could take it all in, how her eyes were hungry for the information that all those books held. He was absolutely certain that if he was to allow her to spend all the time she wished here, that she would. She seemed like the kind of person that would never get bored with books, with reading. She had this hunger for it, what made her learning to read so damn fast. Even he was amazed by it, she was quick to learn.. truly. Vermin had been incredibly proud, and had asked several times if he could bring the girl to the library so he could introduce her to the large amount of books and the knowledge they held. But Salvador had said no, but only because he wanted to show her the library all by himself. It was HIS library, not Vermins! That little beast better remember that wel. "It is not the biggest in the world, that honor is for the mages collage." He told her rather stoically as he walked further into the library to take a good look around himself. He had not spend as much time in here as he normally did, but he would visit on occasion to get a new book to read. "But it is more beautiful then theirs. For theirs does not have a magical ceiling, nor does it have banisters made out of dragon bones." Salvador bragged as he gestured to the ivory banisters that ran along the sides of the balconies. "And their pillars.. well. They are just grey and old. While mine are each decorated with their very own story." He said as he gestured to the mosaic that decorated each and every single one.

Salvador walked further into the library and gestured Melia to follow him. It was just impossible to see the entire library from where she stood.. and she definitely needed to see those ceilings from close by, they truly were a magical masterpiece. "You have seen nothing yet, standing there will not help you to see this room to it fullest" he said as he moved slowly. The heavy trail of his robe dragged over the old marble floors as he walked. "Come" he told her as she was still so franticly looking around that she did not even notice that he had started walking further into the library. As she called him lucky he stopped and gave her a funny look.. his eyebrow rose and he looked a bit.. surprised that she called him lucky.. lucky how? How was he lucky... explain! He shook his head, she was getting insane with what she was seeing around her and properly did not know what she was saying. He started walking again and gestured to the first two stairs they walked past. Both were curved around tall golden pillars that reached to the ceiling, bringing people to all four levels that were build alongside the walls. He remembered sliding down the banisters, his father getting angry with him as he should be more careful.. he was but a fragile boy, kin and bones and so very awkward. He was the kind of boy that could break his hand by trying to eat a damn sandwich. "I came here every single day, reading as many books as I could. I.. always have loved reading... still do. I never went anywhere without at least four books with me.. You never know when you finish one, or what you want to read next. Even as a small boy, guards would always see a pile of books coming towards them with two legs sticking from under them. I always had my nose in a book, reading everything I could.. sucking up all the information that was out there. " He told her as he walked her through the library's ground floor. He smiled a careful smile as he remembered those days, how books were still so incredibly heavy for him, how he would always struggle to carry them to his room. "You can indeed escape everything, become everyone. Get lost in worlds that do not exist, become something that only lives in the world of magic and mystery. Creatures that have walked these lands long before men, and those who still do. I loved each book as much as the other. But like everyone I had my favorites. They always were hiding in my room under the bed, they needed to be close by.. I never knew when I needed to read them.. to study them.. to memorize every single word that was written down"

He stopped and gestured around him. "The entire library is divided into sections. History, art, fiction, animals, wars, races, languages. Each section is divided into writers, importance. The oldest books are kept safe, safe from the magical light that comes from the ceiling. Books so old that their paper can no longer stand the touch of human skin. You will never be allowed near them. Do not worry about this, they are sectioned off and locked away. For they hold dangerous secrets of old magic that is dangerous to use" He said with a small smile as talking about his books made him feel something that was .. pleasant... "If you prove to me that you are worthy, I will allow you to take one book in the library. You will bring the book anywhere else, they are to stay here. Vermin will explain to you what books you will be able to read, and what will be to difficult still. But.. earn it. Give me a reason why I would allow you the honor of reading these books.. " he asked her, his eyes now set on hers as he wanted to hear what reason she would have to allow her in the library alone.

[Scottie]

Her nose wrinkled as he sounded so very stern now. She wanted to tease him on it, surely it was the biggest in the world. She couldn't imagine one bigger. "I do not doubt that. It is a stunning home." She said with a massive grin, it was the most beautiful thing she had ever set her eyes on. "Dragon bones??" Her eyes went wide and she glanced over to the banisters. She snapped her eyes back to him and watched his fingers becoken her to follow him. So she did as she was instructed. She scurried behind him and listened to him talk. She knew he used to come here every day. She nodded, agreeing with his logic about books. She had barely read a chapter of one and it held this spell over her. She let her eyes snap around her, taking in every small detail as he spoke about his childhood and these other worlds that the books held. She knew those sections. Her favourite was fiction and history....sometimes animals...sometimes races. She tried to make a mental note of the sections, then how they were split up. Melia took a small step back and nodded violently. She would never expect to be allowed nearby any of these books.

Worthy. Her smile slowly faded from her face and she blinked rapidly. To take a book. To read here....to be allowed that. Earn it. Her forehead creased softly and she opened her mouth to respond. But snapped it shut again as she tried to figure out what to say. "Because knowledge is the greatest weapon." Her words confident as if she had said it a thousand times before. "If you do not keep it sharp, then it will grow dull and become useless." Her eyes flicked up to him and she held his gaze. "I may not be the most...eloquent..." The word was a struggle to get out. "But I know that these books need to be respected....Just like they need to be read. Their pages scream out to be opened. For their world to be explored again. I would treat every book with the excitement that I treat the pirate queen story...." She trailed off and let her eyes flick past him to the book shelves around them. "I remember this place. I can picture fading memories in this room. Being here...Makes me happy..Makes me feel safe." Her eyes returned to his and she gave him a small smile. Her eyes filled with hope and innocence.

"I feel the need to go places in here. To pluck up certain books or rest in certain chairs. This was the second place...The first was that room...with the flower...this was the second." She said her forehead wrinkling gently. She was trying to explain, in her own special way, that this room..the library.. was the second most comfortable place for her soul in this castle. Her bedroom was first and Michael's room was 3rd...For she spent more time with Michael in this room..than anywhere else. Her eyes flicked back to that small nook of warmth and colour. Her gaze held a longing like nothing else. She wanted to go sit there and read....Not alone though. She wanted him to stay with her, for in this room...he had shown no anger. No degrading comments were made. She felt like...he was showing a different side of himself. A kinder, intelligent side...one that made a pink flood to her cheeks when she dragged her eyes back to him and caught his eyes.

[Dark Pigeon]

She said something that reminded him why he should not read her to many books. Power, there was power to gain from knowledge. What if she read of how to destroy him, how to lead armies to these very halls? he shook his head, he always had a day in which books she could read and which not. He would keep the once hidden that he did not want her to see and shower her with those who held not enough knowledge for her to destroy him. She would be to busy reading.. there was no harm in that. He looked around his Library and nodded "yes, they are screaming to be read. Books love to reveal the secrets they hold, for someone to turn their pages until their is none left. " He said as he watched her gaze luck on a spot in the library. He followed her eyes, how they seemed to recognize the one spot in the Library she would feel the safest. He looked back at her, still he was amazed by the things she seemed to know, how she loved the very same things like his wife, and how she wished to sit in that same spot that his wife had always been sitting as her favorite books were located in this very spot of the library. He watched her as she stated that books needed to be respected. That they did! Many were written by hand and costs a fortune. Others were made with machines that could press an entire page in one single go.

He tilted his head as she said that she was safe here, happy. That her memories of this place, how little she had, told her that here she did not need to worry. "How can you be sure that you are safe here, that you can be happy. I can tear you apart right here, have your blood stain these very floors and walk away without caring. Have the servants scrape your very flesh of the marble, of the dragon bones." He asked her as he walked up to Melia as his green eyes stared at her, his curiousity growing as he wondered why this girl would feel safe around him. Was she an idiot? Had she not forgotten what he had done to Becky, her father, her?! "Have I not proven to you that I am to be feared. That I am that very monster parents tell their children about?" He shook his head and chuckled, maybe he needed to hurt more people and see when this girl would truly fear him. "And yet, you do not think I wil do you?.. I can see it in your eyes. I can almost hear your mind telling you how in here.. I will do nothing. How in here, I am just.. different than I am anywhere else in this castle" He placed his cold hand on her cheek and gently brushed his thumb over her cheek. She was so warm, so soft. "Why do you think that is?"

[Scottie]

She was glad that he agreed. It was like she could hear the books screaming out to her, pleading her to pick them up and read. She watched him tilt his head and knew deep down that something was going to happen. That she had said the wrong thing. She blinked slowly as she listened to him. Trying not to take his threats to heart. "You wouldn't disrespect this room with my disgusting blood. It deserves better than that." It was an odd joke to make but she felt like it was right. He came closer and she stopped herself from moving back. She kept her eyes up on him and watched him as he moved to standing right before her. "I did not say that I did not fear you Sire." She said plainly. "I just believe that it wont be here." Melia raised an eyebrow when he said he could see it in her eyes. See what. She blinked rapidly and felt his fingers brush her cheek. Her words shook as she spoke. "You were happy here before I left....and happy after. This room is more than your memories with her."

Melia hovered her fingers over his chest, as if she wanted to touch him but knew the risk with touching those clothes. "It's because of her isn't it?" Her voice was small and faint. "You don't want to hurt her...You don't want her to see you like the others see you." Her eyes moved down his face to trace the shape of his lips with her steel eyes. "You weren't a geeky schoolboy...you were a wondrous vibrant soul....You weren't an evil man...but fair and just..." Her words trailed off and she let her eyes rise back to his. Her forehead creased as she raised her left hand to push some of his hair back from his face. "Hurting me....risks the chance of losing her again." She rested her hand against his cheek and gave him a small sad smile. "No matter how much you have given me to fear you...I get this feeling when you are near....Like I feel safer with you here...I feel drawn in by you...by your eyes." She just kept speaking, leaning her head into his palm. It was like his touch was dragging those words from deep within her...and forcing them out her lips. "It's like I'm being told that this is where I'm meant to be. It makes me c...curious...if that's what stays your hand...if you feel that t..too."

[Dark Pigeon]

It was not her ... disgusting blood... staining his floors that kept him from hurting her. He knew that she was not 'her, that she would never be 'her' .. but why did he keep feeling that he should protect her instead of destroy? It was utterly confusing for him, and if he had been more of a man he would have asked Melia if she was feeling as confused about this as well. But he wasn't that kind of man, he had become selfish, afraid, paranoid. He did not think that everyone was out to get him, he knew it. He knew that his death would bring so many people peace. "Not here indeed. This place will be free from the suffering I put this land through. Nobody will be killed, hurt... I can not bare myself to taint the library with the darkness that covers this land" He looked around the library, he had not set foot in it as he used to be. He needed distractions from what he did, he never wanted to be a king.. and now that he was, he felt that he was not doing as well a job as is father had done. Now.. that was a king, a good one, kind! He protected his people and found that a king served his people, and not the other way around. He had been loved, not a man nor woman that disliked the king that ruled their land. When Salvador came in charge he had pretty tall shoes to fill. To be come a better king was nearly impossible, being as good a king improbable, to be a worse king.. that was what people expected right away.
He nodded when she stated that he had been happy here, with her.. and how this was the only place he had felt somewhat more like a human being.. but happy? no.. he had not felt happy ever since he had lost his Helena, and his little boy Michael.

"Yes" He said, he could be walking around the fact that he did not want to hurt her because of his wife. But why use more words if a simple yes would do. He looked back at Melia and decided that taking a seat in his wives favorite part of the library would do. As he walked away from her, listening to what Melia had to say he looked over his shoulder with a small frown before sitting down in one of the comfortable leather seats. "You are correct, not entirely.. but correct. I was a geeky child. Fair and just you say? What makes you think that this is not my true form, my true way of being? Am I not the king that makes your family, the people in your village suffer? That sends out young men.. boys into war with the treat that if they do not fight for their king, that their families will be killed? The one that wields the darkest of magic, that does not frown upon the pain of others but celebrates it." He rolled his eyes, this girl truly was nothing like his wife. She would never had stated something so.. stupid! That was it, it was stupid and wrong and she knew nothing! He crossed his legs by the feet and let go of his staff while he looked over the books that lay in the small table. Yes, yes, she had mentioning that killing her would make him loose the soul he wished to keep safe. The soul he wished had stayed in the body of the woman he loved. He looked up at her, gently rubbing his chin with his thumb and index finger as he listened to what she had to say.

What she said next surprised him. He could not help but to let out a mocking laugh, a short one.. but it was entirely mocking.. nothing else. She.. felt something for him after all he had done? Was she fucking insane?! "You are a fool." He told her as he angrily looked the other way. He did not want to hear this, he did not want to hear that maybe somehow that soul.. that it was making her feel things she should not! he was not someone to care about, to feel drawn to. He was a monster, he always would be one! And she better be remembering that. His eyes.. he rolled them as she mentioned how she felt drawn to his eyes. Yes, he had remarkable and rather intense green eyes. His wife had always told him that she loved them, how she always felt like she would be drowning into them as she looked in his eyes. He looked back at her and let out a irritated sigh. "The only reason why you will be safe around me, is because you are nothing but a husk that keeps the soul of my dead wife on this world. When you die, it will go back where it needs to be until it returns when a child is born." He said, as he did not want to tell her that he felt.. well.. the same. He felt drawn to her, he felt like he should be on his best behavior. He wanted to see her smile, see her happy, healthy. He wanted her to learn and be safe, he wanted her to like him... but as soon as she stated that she felt drawn to him he was shocked. But he could not tell her that, he could not give her this idea that she somehow could safe him, make him nice, making a better king. It was utter nonsense to believe something like that! He would not answer her next question, he did not want to lie to her.. and he did not want to tell her the truth. So.. instead his eyes went over the books again, and as he noticed that one was about the world of birds he wondered.. could he?

He picked it up, looking rather disinterested in the girl he had invited into his library. He mindlessly turned page after page as he looked at the different kind of birds and their names. It took him a few minutes, minutes in which he ignored Melia completely. Pages slowly turned, his eyes scanned the different names and pictures of birds, as his free hand was rubbing his chin as he seemed to be truly into this book.. for some reason or another. "Ah." he said before slowly looking up at Melia. ""Have you ever been.. fly.. No of course you havent" He rolled his eyes as he became slightly irritated with himself.. of course she had never been flying around before! "Tell me Melia, what is Therianthropy?" He asked her as he patiently waited for her to tell him if she knew or not.

[Scottie]

Her smile slowly dropped from her lips as he did not laugh at her joke. Instead it seemed like he was saying that once she was out of these doors...it was fair game. He walked away from her and muttered his response. She watched him walk to that point in the library that was calling to her. She stumbled after him and felt warmth fill her bones when she stepped onto the plush red rug. She dragged her eyes back up to him and clasped her hands before her stomach. "Yes. You are." She said bluntly. There was no need to sugar coat it anymore. "You are the king that destroys every piece of happiness in that village." Her voice almost had a neutral tone to it. Like she wasn't angry or upset...just slowly giving up. Her jaw tensed up. Her brother had been taken from her and brought to his hell hole....The one man she thought capable of loving her was enlisted....never to return...that she knew of. This bastard of a man had ruined any chance that she had of having a happy family. A happy childhood with her parents and brothers and sister. Everything that was captured in his darkness...rotted. Her heart hit her stomach when he laughed. "I know I am Sire." The same tone, even if sorrow was eating away at her. She kept standing, even though the entire area was crammed with so many different seats. "You should kill me." Her words blunt enough that it felt like the air had been sliced through by her words.

"When I die. I would go into another's body. Perhaps that child will have the right hair, or eyes, or background. Whatever it is that is needed to please you." She let out a small breath before dragging her eyes over the chairs that sat before her. Some where like the one he sat on, deep red leather that sighed into the body as you sat. Others were thick beanbags in a dark purple material. In the corner, closest to the fire was a thread bared flowery seat, it's material fading and it was obviously older than the others. She knew it hadn't been moved out of place. It was still perfect even to catch the light while having the fire warm your toes. She heard the pages flip of the book he picked up and she let her feet lead her over to that chair. Melia stood before it and tilted her head. She wondered if the sweets that she hid were still there. Or if the chair still fit her body perfectly. Probably not, she was larger than his wife. She was not his wife. She was the empty husk of a woman long gone.

He spoke and she turned back to see him. She blinked slowly and wanted to leave. She wanted to go back to her room and draw. She wanted to leave this empty old man and find a way to leave this castle. To run away and to start a life that would be her own...Not a carbon copy of what his wife had gone through. She wanted to make her own memories, have her own family and not mourn a child that she did not bare. Her eyes settled on his and she let the word floating around her. "Ther...ian..thropy?" She repeated again to make sure she had said it probably. When he gave her a bored nod, she knew it was the right pronunciation. "It means to change." Her forehead creased as memories came pushing into her mind. "Like how in the...Sea Dragon of the North...Harriett could change into a seal." She had never read that book, she had never even held the book in her hands. But she remembered that fact. She didn't know why he was quizzing her. She had wanted to sit down in this area with him, but with ever growing minute filled with insults and horrific feelings...she wanted to leave. Her eyes flicked to the main door before returning to him.

[Dark Pigeon]

So she had been paying attention, he was content to hear that her first try on saying the difficult word was almost perfect. He would not correct her, he had been behaving like a jackass the last couple of minutes and he wanted to show her that he could be remotely close to a decent person. He was to do something with her, something that he was absolutely sure of she had never done.. not in this life. "Correct, a magic that some of the more mystical creatures hold. They are an animal spirit that wishes to be among men. But their animal side always calls them to go back to their more natural animalistic form. The wardens are the most known mystical creatures that change their form. From their natural animalistic one, to that of other animals and even humans. It allows them to communicate amongst one other, and with men. You do.. know about the wardens do you?" He asked Melia, he would be very disappointed if she did not know something about them. But when she nodded he smiled, she wasn't as much a dumb girl as he thought her to be. "Good, very good." he said as he leaned back as he kept his fingers tapping on the book before him. "Mages" he said, leaning forward as if he was to tell her a secret. "They would not be satisfied if they did not crack the magic, and allow themselves to change into any animal they wish. It took them centuries to crack the code. The wardens were not to help. Creatures like Kelpies or Selkies did not want to share their secret.. not after all the torment and torture they went through. But.. in the end, the mages found a way for themselves to change into animals, and for others to be changed.'

he smiled and gave her a look that said do you understand where I am getting at.. do you?. He looked down at the book again and showed her a couple of birds. They were birds of paradise, incredibly colorful with metallic green, red, blue, feathers and long beautiful tails. They looked like true masterpieces of nature, and each and every single one was like a precious gem. "Are they not lovely? I think that they are absolutely breathtaking. The most wondrous of birds. They are not only beautiful, but incredibly intelligent as well. They build small perks, using single colors to attract a female. Or they can dance beautifully to make the girls see how beautiful they truly are. Each and every single one has a song that will bring you to tears to its beauty'. He gave her the book so she could look into it. It was filled with beautiful hand drawn pictures of each and every single bird in their world. You could read about them and where they came from, even the human names of the Wardens was mentioned. He allowed all the time she needed to look over each and every single bird. Only when she looked up again to speak with him did he smile this smile she knew was no good.. but this time his eyes seemed to tell her that there no evil to come her way. "Pick one" he said as he nodded towards the book. "Pick one, and I make you into the bird you wish to be. I want you to see the entire library.. while flying"

[Scottie]

She let him speak but her eyes occasionally snapped over to the exit. An animal spirit that wishes to be among men. Melia couldn't understand why anyone would want to be among men. Her eye flicked back to him when he said Wardens. She knew that. She had heard of them before, she gave him a careful nod to confirm. He smiled and she had to stop herself from returning the gesture. He had just insulted her for a good five minutes, he had ruined her good mood about this room. So she wouldn't gift him with a smile..not yet. Her hands remained clasped before her stomach and she stood as he had not told her to sit. He tapped the book in his lap and she scanned the cover. Not able to read it from where she stood but it looked old. She raised an eyebrow as he told her that Mages demanded this magic. Of course they did, Mages sounded like horrible people who took everything for themselves.

She blinked slowly as it dawned on her. Mages could change their shape, change their form...and others. He showed her the book and she took a step forward. Every single one looked like a piece of art. "They are." She said softly as he pushed the book into her hands. She flipped through the pages and mouthed their names to herself. A small smile tugged onto her lips as she scanned every page. She had never seen any of these birds. They would never be found in her cold climate. Their colours would look out of place. She finally dragged her eyes up to him and noticed that his smile had not faded. But now it looked mischievous. Pick one. Her eyes went wide and she snapped her eyes back to the page before her. "And it is easy to come back?" She asked him until he nodded. To fly. Oh how she would give anything to fly. To feel free and soar above the bookcases. She chewed at her bottom lip as she flipped back through the pages. One bird had taken a hold of her heart. The colours were perfect and it looked beautiful. She felt her smile get bigger as she found the bird she was looking for. He was still sitting down, so she moved forward a few steps. Dropping to her knees beside him as she placed the book into his lap. Her finger tapped an image. "This one....Please." She flicked her eyes up to him and rested her chin on the arm rest of the chair.

[Dark Pigeon]

He himself was rather exited to do this. He had not changed his form in.. how long? He tried to remember but he could not. He did not even know if he had ever changed into something else after the dead of his wife, or when the last time had been when they had done so together. As she finally had found a bird she wanted to become, he was reminded of what his wife had always changed into. She had the colors right, but.... she was looking for something else. He was pretty sure she was. But he would tell her about that later, she might just like the small bird first.. and it was in his advantage for her to be something small that he could snap out of the air while he himself was a bird as well. You.. did not think he was letting her fly alone now did you?. But the more he thought of that, the more he felt like a fucking butthead.. he wanted her to feel the form that his wife had loved to be so much. "I promise you that you will be liking this one quite a bit, but I have a better one for you in store dear" He told her as he placed the book back on the table and took in a deep breath. Dear lord, he was going to do magic that was not to hurt anyone. Well... it hurt a bit, but nothing that would make you never want to do it again.

He flexed his fingers and gave Melia a look, he looked a bit.. nervous. He had not done this for a while. He knew how to do it perfectly, he was good at it.. or at least so he would tell everyone. He started to move his hands into certain patterns as he mumbled softy some words that Melia could not understand. But when it started to work, she could feel how pins started to poke every single cell of her body. It was painful, but nothing that she could not endure. The world around her became bigger, her dress was no longer tight bat grew looser and looser until it started to come of while the world kept growing, growing, growing while she slowly changed into the form of a bird. She could feel the feathers growing from her skin, how her hands and arms became wings, how her feet grew talons and how she lost all her hair which made way for feathers. But when the change was done, she had changed into a lovely bird with a beautiful ochre colored chest and blueish wings. Salvador walked over to her dress and dug her out. First timers always got stuck in there. But when she was free from her little prison he scooped her up with his hands and gently placed her down on the book that was still showing the picture of the bird she wanted to be, only now she had became something entirely different. She made a lovely bird, but quite like birds she needed to learn to fly and land.. even making sound would feel strange to her a she would not be able to truly speak like a human. Some birds could, quite like the one she was now. Making the change easier for her.


Now it was time for Salvador to change. He looked over at the Melia bird sitting on the book and smirked. "And now me.. you did not think that I was to only change you now did you?" He asked her before he took in a deep breath and started the entire spell again but this time on himself. She could see how his entire body was twisting, how feathers started to grow as he shrunk. It looked painful, even more painful that Melia had just felt. If she had seen him change first, she might never had wished for this to happen to her as well. Salvador's change went as quick as that of Melia, but when he was done he looked up proudly as he was now a beautiful pitchblack raven. He hopped on the table next to Melia, she was bit smaller than him, but he did not tower over her. He chuckled as he looked down at her, his head tilted to the side as a bird could not look straight ahead. "Now" he said, you need to learn and fly.. land.. and when you get the hang of it I will show you the entire library. How do you feel?" He asked her without his beak ever moving. "What does it feel like now, being a bird?"

[Scottie]

The cogs twisted in his head and she watched him frown gently. She was worried that she had picked something wrong, perhaps it was too difficult to do. She blinked rapidly and tried to glance down at the bird he was thinking of. She thought she had the right one. The colours were right. She pushed herself to her feet and watched him flex his fingers....and look nervous. Gods she had never seen that before. Never had she seen nerves flood into the green of his eyes. She was transfixed by the movements of his hands and the gentle mumbling. She followed his hands with her gaze and then flinched when she felt the first pin prick. It wasn't pleasant but...it was bearable. She took a small step back and noticed that for once...a dress was too big for her. It was sighing around her and she could finally breathe. Melia stretched out her arms to each side and watched feathers pop from her pores. Her mouth went wide as she got smaller and smaller...or the world got bigger. She closed her eyes and let out a deep breath. The material of her dress swallowed her up and when she opened her eyes she was trapped in a pile of soft material. She let out a small yelp but it only came out as a soft squeak.


Melia felt someone reached through the material and pluck her out. She blinked rapidly at this massive man before her. She ruffled her feathers and tried to walk off his hand to the book. She failed and fell face first onto the paper. When she stood, she looked down at her feet and noticed that the talons weren't the right shape as on the page. She noticed the colours were the same...but she felt bigger than that little bird. She hopped gently, getting used to having to walk like a bird. She dragged her black eyes up to see him and watched him smirk. He was going to change. What. But...Before she could even attempt to air her thoughts on that, he had started the spell again. It looked more painful that it felt. His feathers were like the night and he stood proud above her. She took a small hop back from him. It was strange to hear him chuckle. "It feels strange." She extended her wings and tried her best to see them. Her voice was coming out of a beak. Gods that was strange. "But it feels freeing." She snapped her eyes back to him. "Why the raven?" She asked him before hopping forward a little. Her feet making a small pattering noise on the book she stood upon.

Everything felt rather strange from where they stood. Everything was massive and she was so very small. She bounced around the table, getting used to her feet. She saw the red arm chair and wriggled her bum, her feathers extending out as she tried to figure out how to fly. She extended her wings and flapped them gently. It lifted her off the ground for a mere second. She let out a small squeal of excitement before trying again with a little more effort. She managed to get high enough that she could soar...not fly to the red arm chair. But stopping was a problem. So when she got close enough to stop...she couldn't. Instead she hit the back of the arm rest with a soft thud and slumped down onto the seat. Landing on her back, she let out a soft mutter of annoyance as she kicked her feet out. Trying to figure out how to stand back up again.

[Dark Pigeon]

Salvador held his head high, with his beak held in the air as he said "why not a raven? Do you not like them? I have you know.. you are one of the crow family as well. It makes it for us possible to talk in our normal voices. Otherwise you would be making very different noises." he told her as she could see that he was smiling a she looked into his tiny black eyes. He was already liking this, to feel wings on his body again, to know he could fly was something that had always made him feel good. He was more used to this and found it easy to move around, but he had a lot of experience being a bird. While Melia still had to learn. He laughed when Melia fell face down. He knew that it would take her some time, time he did not want to spend to long being entertained by her failure. So instead of laughing at her until she got it right, he would teach her. Teaching Melia, something only Vermin had done until now. Something Salvador had told Melia he would not do, as he found it to be frustrating to teach someone like her, someone as dumb. He watched her trying to soar through the air until she hit the chair. He chuckled, he really could not help himself. I was such a hilarious sight! He jumped so easily up to the chair she herself had just crashed into. "Not that easy is it?" he asked her as he walked over the armrest of the same chair she had just crashed into. He looked very arrogant and proud of himself, he had his feathers puffed up in his chest and looked like a big proud bird as he marched around. He hopped on the backrest and arrogantly walked over it as he showed her how well he could move around. "Try not to overthink it, that is what is keeping you from moving like a bird. You ARE a bird, so you do not need to think about BEING one." He hopped down and came to stand next to her. He was taller than her, but nothing that would make her feel uncomfortable next to him.

"Look, just.. spread your wings and fly to the book. Don't think about moving your wings, do not think about how to do it. Don't think about landing but land." He showed her, but he added some more flying techniques, he made a barrel-roll in the air, a small salto and dove down to the table landed on the book with such ease. "It is that easy.. really" He stepped aside and gestured with his wing for Melia to land on the spot that he had made ready for her. "Remember, don't think, just do it.!" He told her as he stepped aside a bit more.. thought for a moment, and then flew over to the chair he had sat in before they both had changed. He truly did not trust her to get it right, not right away. To just fly, and not to think about it, or crashing, or falling, or hurting yourself, not to fear it, or to be happy about it.. but just fly! That was rather difficult.

[Scottie]

She heard him laugh and her muttering got louder as annoyance hit her stomach. She glared at him as best as she could. She knew it would not be easy. Not at all. He looked like a pompous twat as she rolled herself to standing up and wanted to hit him. She tried to copy how he moved, walking as he did and hopping up to the arm rest. She patiently waited for him to explain. For she was stuck this way until he decided he wanted her real body back. You are a bird. It floated around her mind and she let out a small sigh. She spread her wings wide and ruffled her bum. She watched him and then rolled her eyes as he felt the need to show off. She watched him move but snapped her eyes back to the place he wanted her to fly to. She closed her eyes and felt a small nudging feeling in her stomach. Just let go and let nature take control. Melia lifted herself off the chair and flew in a steady line across to the table, landing daintily beside the book. She chuckled gently and gave him a proud look. She hadn't even really thought about it.

So she turned and flew back over to the dark red armchair, landing softly on the arm rest instead of slamming into it. She stumbled a little but managed to stay on the arm rest. She mumbled to herself and ruffled her feathers. She could remember this feeling, remember this body. It was strange. Her mind loved it. Her mind never wanted her to go back to her old body. This body was familiar and hers. Melia turned back to see the raven and hopped forward to the end of the arm rest. "This was the bird she liked wasn't it?" She asked him, wanting to know if that was why she had this feeling. The chair he was sitting on was further away and she fixed her eyes on it. She wanted to go over there. So she was going to make it. She lifted herself slowly off the red leather and soared across to him. She loved this feeling, feeling the air brush her feathers. The feeling of weightlessness and pure joy. Melia stopped herself just in time and landed with a small stumble on the arm rest of the chair he stood. She got her balance back and turned herself towards him. "It's the right colours, it feels rights. It's her bird isn't it?"

[Dark Pigeon]

He watched her, hoping she got it right now so they could go ahead and fly around. He did not want to be stuck in teaching her, he knew he did not have the patients for that. He held his breath when she hopped over to the book, and he smiled proudly as she did well. He was a great teacher, and she was smarter than he gave her credit for.. but that is something that keeps coming up. As she looked at his chair he hopped over to the backrest, giving her all the space she needed to land. She might have gotten it right a second ago, that did not mean she would succeed right now. But she did, well.. almost. As she landed and needed a bit more space to do so successfully he could not help but to caw a couple of times as he was happy to see her succeed so quickly. This meant that they could go for the second step, landing on a smaller wooden chair, fly a larger distance and landing on a slippery floor. When she got all that right they could start fooling around and seeing the Library from their new point of view. "Very good, very very good." he told her as he hopped down to her. He would have patted her shoulder, but as he found himself coming to close to her he moved away and hopped back to the table.

As he turned around he needed to lift his birdy-bum up on the air so his tail feathers would not get stuck against he book. It had to look ridicules as he was a king, someone royal, and he needed to lift his ass in the air because of a couple of books piled op on a table. "Yes, she liked this one. It gave us a change to talk normally. She was a lover of birds, especially crows. She knew each species, subspecies, the names of the wardens, and what the eat, where they came from.." he took in a deep breath "everything. This one ... the one you are now. That was her favorite, because she was in love with the colors. I .. myself.. I like Pigeons better to be honest" He said before looking around the library. "well, second test. We need to be sure that you can land on something small. Something you need to grip with your talons.. like.. that.." he looked around a bit more. Again his bum needed to go up in the air so his tail feathers would not get stuck. "YES!" He called out before he jumped on the books and looked behind him to see of Melia was paying attention. "Do you see that chair there, but those large tables. I want you to land on the armrest." He told her before he flexed his own wings as he looked at her. "Just.. do it, this time it is not as easy. You need to remember that what you land on os to small, so your talons.. like fingers, you need to grab it." He told her before he nodded, yes.. that had to be a rather good explanation. "Watch" he said before he flew off and so very easily landed on the back of the chair. He needed to keep his balance by flapping his wings a couple of times, but when he was sitting right he folded them against his chest and hopped on the table so he could turn around. "Now you! Come on, show me how quick you get the hang of this"

[Scottie]

Hearing him caw was so strange and familiar. She dragged her eyes back up to him and watched him as he hopped back down to see her. He was close at one point but he scurried away. She would have frowned if she had eyebrows. She let out a small chuckle when he wriggled his birdy bum. She was right. This was the right one. Crows. She ruffled her feathers. "I knew it" She said gently to herself. Test. Oh that did not sound good. She glanced down at her talons and flexed them, seeing just how sharp they truly were. She heard him call out and she snapped her eyes to where he was looking. It was a thinner chair, she felt a little worried now. Smaller...Tell her talons to grip. She watched him carefully, she could do that....surely. She ruffled her bum and stretched out her wings. She copied him to the T. Even lifting herself off her feet like he did. She floated through the air and let out a long breath as she landed. She gripped the armrest perfectly and let out a small short laugh. But her balance was off...but her grip was secure. So instead of slipping off...she swung backwards. Until she hung upside down from the arm rest. Like a bat.

Melia let out a panicked squeal as her talons kept a tight grip on the armrest. Everything was upside down and it didn't feel right. She shook her grip off and managed to land onto the seat of the chair. She ruffled her feathers and before he could insult her technique, she rose up to land on the other armrest. Holding herself upright, ruffling herself to keep herself steady. When she was secure, she glanced at him. "I did it" Her voice like that of a proud child. She hopped up and down on the armrest before taking off again. She made her way back to the other chair, landing softly. This time she was more certain of her feet and she landed without stumbling. Her voice echoed from that point. "YES" She giggled loudly before hopping around and flying back over to him. She aimed for the correct arm rest and flapped her wings perfectly to slow herself down as she landed. She did it perfectly and she ruffled her chest feathers up with pride. "Now do we soar over the library?" She was a rather impatient crow and hopped on the arm rest waiting for him to respond. If crows could smile, she would have a massive smile atop her lips. She was loving this. The feathers felt right, flying felt wonderful and she was truly comfortable in this body.

[Dark Pigeon]

How he laughed when she so proudly landed on the chair, only to loose her balance and hang upside down. She looked ridicules as her talons tried so hard to hold on, only for her to finally let go of the chair as she knew she would not be able to pull herself up. He was almost rolling over the wooden table, his wings flapping as he had such a good time watching her fail. He coughed and calmed himself down as he walked around a bit, watching her as she tried to land on the heavy leather chairs. She did rather well, it made him feel some kind of pride. More about himself than feeling proud for her, he was the one teaching her! A student was only as good as his/her teacher.. so.. it had to be him right? As she succeeded her second landing on the chair closest to him he knew that he did not need to spend all day teaching this damn girl. "Very well" He said as he watched her puff op her chest-feathers and stroll around as if she was the best damn thing after sliced cheese. "Oh stop that, you have hardly mastered any of it! Try landing on twigs in the woods, dive down and land without falling over, or do some tricks in the air. You are but a chick, a fluffy-feathered, big beaked, chick!" he muttered to her, hiding the fact that it had taken him longer to learn everything. She was a natural, fuck her... she would do something wrong and then he could laugh at her again.. he was pretty sure about that.

"No, we are not to soar around just yet. You haven't yet flew a real distance, just from here to the leather chair? Please... that's nothing" He said, his jealousy not so easily hidden as he had his feathers puffed up while he held his head against his body. He was angry at her, well.. not truly angry, but he wasn't pleased either. He looked around, slowly his neck extending as he tried to keep his feathers down. "Alright" He said as he flapped his wings and showed her how his were far better than hers by showing them off. "Now, I am going to show you wat you are to do next. You are still learning, so calm down.. we do not wish for you to break your neck when falling down do we? Or break a bone... You really do not want to break a bone before a change. That will just hurt quite a lot..." He told her as he wanted her to feel not so very good about herself. He hopped into the air and started to fly around. He went higher and higher, went down and almost touched the floor as he circled the table she was standing on, he was slaloming around a few pillars, flew around one a couple of times and then landed on the table again as he came back to Melia . God, he was so smug when he landed with ease on the slippery table. "Now, you do the exact same route." he told her, as he gestured to the large space she had to do her practice route in.

[Scottie]

She ignored how hard he had laughed mere moments ago and waited for the response she wished for. She clicked her tongue at him, oh he wasn't pleased that she had done well. She ruffled her feathers as she chuckled, "Why thank you for noticing my fluffy feathers." She did not bow to his insult nor his mini tantrum. Melia wanted to pout when he told her no again, that they could not fly around just yet. She rolled here eyes as he rambled. She watched him lift up and soar through the air. Getting higher and higher, then low enough to brush the ground and spinning around the pillars and back to the table. She felt her stomach drop when he demanded that she do the exact same route. "The exact same one?" He nodded and she waited a moment before letting out a deep breath. She could do this. She could do this. So she lifted herself off the table, going higher and higher until he was rather small beneath her. She chuckled to herself and let herself soar down to the floor, getting lower and lower but she misjudged....again. Not thinking she was going to land, she hit the floor and skidded along the polished wood. She yelped loudly and forced herself to stop and stand. Looking down at her smoushed feathers with a scowl.

Melia fixed them and ruffled her feathers violently again before lifting herself off the ground. Next the pillars. Perhaps it was her size, perhaps it was a thought in her head that she had to stop him from laughing...but she was so very graceful as she spun her way around the three pillars. She loved it, the concentration it required as she stopped herself from brushing them. Melia brought herself back to the table and with another stumble, she stopped before him. She snapped her beady eyes up to him and nodded sternly to herself. "I'm doing it again." He barely had time to respond and she was up in the air. Getting as high as she could and then lowering herself to the ground. She concentrated this time though, she didn't get herself lost in the thoughts of freedom of flight..and concentrated on not hitting the ground. She took the pillars beautifully and landed back on the polished table before him. "Out of 10?" She asked him, ruffling her chest feathers as she waited for his answer.

[Dark Pigeon]

He watched her with a cocky grin on his beak, she would fail.. this was to much to ask for someone that was flying for the first time! She would fail, he would be telling her that she had and how she sucked. Only so he could feel good about himself again. Because even if he was a great, great teacher and he wanted the world to know that. Nothing made him feel as good as making others feel miserable about themselves. So he watched her knowing she would fail, only to be amazed in how well she was truly doing. Yes, she fell and slipped over the floor.. but she got up and went for it again! His beak was hanging open as he watched her landing next to him, his feathers were tight against his body, his beady eyes betraying how frustrated he was because she did so well. Boy, he was jealous!! He was to tell her that they were to stop, he did not like this anymore as she soon would be better in flying than him. But she was off before he could say anything, he watched her hoping that she would hurt herself.. But she did.. well.. amazing! She truly did! He watched her and got exited, she flew only inches over the floor, she went up and around the pillars and landed rather perfectly next to him. He let out an exited little caw. But as he noticed his own happiness for the girl he stopped cawing and just gave her an glare.. one that showed how unimpressed he was with her.

" I give you.. a 3. You tried but it was just not that perfect to be honest." he told her, lying trough his tee.. beak as he said this. He walked away from her, his beak held high as he marched around over the table. He did not want to give her the light of day, he did not like how she was better than him. As he walked away from her she could see how is birdy-butt wiggled from side to side with each step, his beak rose far above his head as he tried to look so much better than her, so much powerful, he was the best damn bird! "But I do not have time to teach you, you are so very slow" He told her, again.. telling more lies than need be. "So we can try a small distance of flight, to the first section I want you to see.. History" He looked behind him, damn.. she looked good like a girly bird, her chest feathers had such a lovely color, her beak just shaped so.. perfectly. He coughed as he caught himself staring at her and quickly looked the other way. "Just be careful" He said as he calmly flew up and headed to the front of the Library where he would tell her everything about the history of the library, and about the first king that had it build.

[Scottie]

She blinked rapidly when he glared and gave her a ...3. That got a frown from her. He marched away and she scurried behind him. She watched his feathers flick from side to side and got so very tempted to pluck one. It was a trait of crows to pull other birds tail feathers in attempts to steal food or to create chaos....Why did she know that? She shook her head and then rolled her eyes when he called her slow. History. She fixed her feathers before dragging her eyes up and caught him staring. Had she forgot one? She glanced back down and when she looked back up, he had turned his attention to elsewhere. "Okay." She softly responded and watched him fly up. She watched him for a moment, it was nice to see a bird fly so gracefully in this massive room. She shook herself back to reality and lifted herself from the table. She let out a deep breath and took off after him. She got higher and higher until she was out of that small area. She spun herself as she giggled.

She was truly enjoying herself now. Melia caught up with him rather quickly and she spun underneath him. Another giggle echoed from her beak and she did a loopty loop. His harsh words echoed to her within seconds to stop acting like a child. They landed on the first section and he ruffled his feathers. Starting to tell her about this man and this man. She listened but discovered quickly that the top of the bookcase was slippy. So when he turned the other way, she slid all the way to the end and let herself fall off the end. Picking herself up in the air and giggling like a cheeky child as she landed back beside him. He gave her an evil look, chastised her for missing his story. So he had to start again. Melia pouted and let him ramble. A bunch of names and dates that she didn't need to know. He pointed out the next section and flew over first. She gave him a few seconds head start and then raced him across.

He realised what she was doing and frantically sped up, only beating her by the tip of a feather. He gave her a smug look and then went on to discuss the races section. Melia let him continue to drone on, he even threw a few questions her way to make sure she was paying attention. After what seemed like a good hour, he finally allowed her to soar around the library. Melia nearly flung herself off the bookcase and squealed with delight as she soared through the library. Going as high as she could then diving to the floor, catching herself and just enjoying flying. She felt the flying slowly draining her now and she landed gently onto the table that they had first taken off from. She ruffled her feathers and caught her breath as she preened her feathers in all their beautiful shining glory.

[Dark Pigeon]

He just sat looking frustrated, and angry like the mopey black bird that he was. Even if he had been enjoying himself, he surely wasn't now! He had his head tugged between his feathers that were all fluffed up as he sat down on the slippery table, not even watching the girl having such fun flying around. He did not want to give her this damn idea that he wanted for her to enjoy herself, or that he would watch her having fun! But oh how she loved it, she did rather amazing to be honest. She learned so fast, and she was rather brave to try everything out right away. She truly was not holding back. But Salvador was not going to join her, instead he just.. sat there... that by the end of what seemed a very long hour that she could do loopy loops, barrel rolls, and some other great tricks that had taken him months to learn. So no, he was not enjoying himself and just sat their like a moody child that had did not want to play the game any longer. But, secretly.. something he would never ever admit! He like watching her enjoy herself, if he had not he would certainly have changed her back in a human when she was up in the air. She would fall down, naked and well.. hurt herself and then he could laugh about it. But even he wasn't that cruel, not today at least.

It was Melia that had been a bird for quite some time that she felt those urges to do something about that black bird sitting there. It would be so easy to tug at his feathers and be gone before he could even pack at her! He looked so interesting to tug at, those feathers were poofed up, it would just be perfect. As Salvador closed his eyes so he could ignore the happy Melia better, he let out a loud caw when something pulled at a tail feather and flew off with it in her beak. He was absolutely shocked! Did she just, how dare she! HE WAS HER KING!! Without even thinking he started chasing her, but she was quick and knew how to stay out of his reach by diving down, or propelling herself up in the air so he could not grab that feather back. They danced around the air like this for a while, Salvador was slowly starting to enjoy himself again and cawed happily every single time he came close to getting his feather back.

Finally! He had tricked her in thinking that he would go left, but he went right instead and was able to wrap his beak around his feather. He tore it from her beak and cawed loudly as he swirled around the air, did a few dives down and back up, he raced around the pillars and finally landed on the table in such a way that he would slip over it until the very end. God he looked so proud, the feather in his beak as he held his head up high! He cawed a few times, as he showed her what he had stolen back from her, his eyes twinkling as he had allowed himself to have a good time for a change. He pushed the feather back between his tail feathers and started to parade around the table, the feather sticking out and sitting crocked as it would never truly be a tail feather again. "that is what you get from trying to win from the greatest!!! Now bow for me, bow for your king little colorful bird" He told her as he held his head up so high that it nearly snapped off.

[Scottie]

She could still taste that dry feather on her tongue. He nearly slid all the way to the end and he looked proud. So very proud. She rolled her eyes slowly as he paraded around with that feather in the grip of his beak. She chuckled gently, "It took you long enough." Melia spread her wings and bowed her head until her wings touched the table. When she raised her head back up to him, she ruffled her feathers and moved closer. "I do like this form. The colours are better than the smaller one...And I like being this size." She turned her head to watch him before spinning with wide wings and taking off from the table. She landed gently onto the red arm chair and strutted along the arm rest of the chair. "It's a beautiful library. Thank you for showing me it from that point of view." Melia cawed at him gently. Letting her claws pad gently on the soft leather. "What happens now?" She spun around and kept her wings tight into her body. "How do you change back?" She asked him curiously. Seeing how odd it looked to turn into a bird...it must be something strange to become a human again. Melia lifted herself off the chair again and kept herself hovering above the chair.

While Salvador spoke, she moved over to that chair. The one that was fading, the one close to the fire. She didn't touch it but she let her eyes drag over it. She dived down beside the chair and he would hear her feet making that soft clicking sound as she wandered around the chair. She stuck her head under the bottom and let out a small cheer before wriggling her butt back out. She ran back over to him, standing on the floor as she spoke up to him. "The pear drops are still there!" Joy radiated from her, she always had kept a small stash of sweets under the chair. Her favourite before she.... had been pear drops. There was something about pears that make her mind fuzzy but she couldn't put her finger on it. "I hid them well." Melia said with such pride.

[Dark Pigeon]

What happens now? he thought of that question, they could venture into the castle like this, or he could change her back into her human form. She still did not seem to realize that her cloths were off, that if he was to change her back she would be completely naked. But she seemed to care about other things now. She hopped off and went to the faded chair, the one his wife had spend so many hours in that the fabric started to loose its color. Normally he would have gotten it refurnished, but he could not get himself to have it done to that particular chair. He watched Melia as she walked underneath that chair, only to come out from under it as she had found something. "Pear drops?" Salvador asked as he pinched his eyes closed, dear lord.. they were still there? He surely would have the person whipped that cleaned these rooms.. how could the not have found those damn pear drops? "For gods sake, they are still there!??" he said as he hopped over and checked himself. He needed to search for a second, but when he finally found them he let out a very frustrated sigh and angrily walked from under them. "Seems that someone needs to learn to clean" he said, his voice dark as his feathers.

He hopped back on the chair he had been sitting on before and looked at Melia. "I knew you would be liking to see the library. You seem to be fond of books, Vermin has told me that you always get so eager when he brings in a new book. I .. wanted you to see this. Something to look forward to while you are to stay here for my entertainment" He said rather bluntly, she better not be finding out what would happen if he wasn't entertained with her any longer. "I think it is time we are to change back to our normal form. Do you not agree? There is much more that we can do today, one does not want to spend all day playing around?" He asked Melia as he removed the loose feather that sat between his tail feathers. He placed it next to him on the chair and ruffled his feathers, getting himself ready to be himself again. "It is easy to change back, for me that is. You.. you need me to have it done." He flexed his wings and gestured over to the clothing on the floor. Would she realize it by now? Or did she need a gentle reminder of how her clothes were OFF her body right now.

After his short spell, and his wings moving slowly through the air without him lifting up. He slowly grew and grew, his feathers disappeared as his skin became visible. His hair grew back, his beak disappeared and made place for his mouth while his talons became feet, and his wings hands. But when he was done, he sat there, completely naked in front of Melia. He smirked, oh how he smiled an evil smile as he sat there with his legs crossed. You poor dumb girl, you get to be naked before your king.. are you not honored?" he asked her as he got up on his feet. He truly was a skinny man, something that could see all to clear as he stood before her. His body was so very pale, almost sickening as it seemed to be stretched over his poor muscled body. He slowly started to dress himself, adding one layer after another of expansive fabrics that made up his entire robe. It was all that brought some weight to him, that made him look more healthy than he truly was. He took his damn time, but when he was done he turned himself over to Melia and showed her this evil grin.. just.. evil.

He took his staff in his hand and held out his other arm. "Hop on, we are taking this to y our bedroom. It is about time we are to take this arrangement to a whole new level" he told her, his voice slick as he watched her with his eyes already undressing her from all those feathers. He would keep telling her to hope on, getting angry if needed. But when she finally hopped on his arm he slowly started to walk out of the Library, and to the room that was hers. He said little to nothing, if Melia would be begging him to not do this, it truly as to deaf ears. He walked with that smirk spread over his lips as he finally got to her room, he was free to enter. He did not need knocking on any of these doors. "Now, lets see what the possibility's there are of you beneath those sheets." He told her as he walked up to the bed that was freshly made just for her. "Hop of, get underneath them.. no arguments!" he told her sternly, not wanting her to dance around the fact that this was truly going to happen.

[Scottie]

She shook her head so violently that she was sure feathers would drift past her eyes. "No. I hid them. I hid them really well. Don't punish someone for that." She asked him a tinge of pleading to her words. Sure enough, when he checked they were there. A small weathered white paper bag that was tucked up in the woodwork of the chair. Melia watched him scurry back up to the chair and tried to give him a smile. She did enjoy reading books, especially the ones that Vermin had picked for her. Entertainment. That word annoyed her. That she was just a toy for him...that he would grow bored of her soon enough. Melia nodded as she wanted to get back to walking, all this flying was tiring her out. She watched him place the tail feather away and nodded again. She understood that she could not change back. He gestured to something and she followed his gaze. Her dress. What of it? It took a moment then it clicked. It took 3 maids to get her into that dress....and now it lay on the floor. How would she get back into it? Would the magic dress her? She snapped her eyes back to him as his wings were lifted high.

His skin returned to that deathly pale and his bones started to click back into place. She watched in awe, her beak wide open. He was NAKED. She recoiled backwards and stumbled away from him. He looked half dead. Her neck tingled as if someone was angry seeing him this way. He looked like a breeze would send him toppling over. Then he stood. She snapped her eyes shut and lowered her head. She couldn't even reply to his mocking question. It was only when she heard the rustling of fabric did she allow herself a peak. He had a layer of clothing on his body and she let out a small sigh of relief. He took his sweet time getting dressed and she tried her best to ruffle into her clothing. When that seemed to fail, she positioned herself so that when she was turned back, she could hide behind the armchair. Her heart was in her throat, but she waited for her chance. His smile made her skin crawl. Hop on. New arrangement. She wanted to fly away. She didn't care if he changed her back when she was mid flight, death would be better than whatever he had planed for her. But when she refused, his angry floated to her like a warm ray of sunshine. She lifted herself slowly to land on his arm. She clung on gently to the material


He didn't speak. Not once. Melia felt sick as she swayed softly with his steps. They reached her door and she thought about the open window. If she flew out...and he changed her. She would fall to her death...It was always a possibility. Tears were ready to tumble down her cheeks when he spoke of bed sheets. The bed had been made tight and the room was cleaned. She glanced up at him when he told her to get under the covers. She slowly dropped from his arm and clambered up to the pillows. She buried herself under the covers, smothering herself with light pink bedding. She made a perfect bump in the bed covers and he had that moment where he thought about crushing her. It would be so easy and the bedcovers could be cleaned. He knew at least one of the girls knew how to get blood out of things. But he shook his head gently and waved his hands over her body, mumbling quietly to himself. Melia could hear him and tucked her head down into her chest. It felt like she was being plunged into an ice cold bath. Tingles flooded over her arms and she felt like she couldn't breathe. Her legs stretched out and her arms were able to rise above her head. Her naked skin brushed the bedding and when she was finally back in her true for...she froze. Her feet were out by the pillows and the rest of her was hidden.

[Dark Pigeon]

He watched how her body slowly started to raise the bedsheets as he wondered what her naked body would look like under there. She looked absolutely terrified thinking of what was to come next. He.. he could, he had every single right to take her whenever he wished. Maybe she felt the same, maybe she even tasted the same like is wife.. who knew, he could find out right now. He shook his head thinking about that, he did not want to do that to her soul, her body he did not mind.. but her soul was almost holy for him. He picked up her pillow and gently placed them over her feet. "I will not touch you in such ways until you wish for me to do so. I will not force your hand, nor your will in any shape or form. If you are to lay with me, than you will do so out of pure free will." He told her as he brushed his fingers over the side of the bed as he slowly walked past her bed. He meant every single word, no matter how many times he would wish to take her in any violent way he thought possible, he would not do it. He knew that he had to keep himself from hurting her, he knew that he should be nice.. not toy with her as he just had done. He had made her think all the way down to her room, that he was to force himself on to her.

She was so angry! Her best friend at school had been touched inappropriately by one of the boys from their house. She hated men that thought that women were there to please them. And because of that she had gone to pay him a visit, and show him where those fists were for. He was in a bad enough shape that he would think twice ever doing this to a girl again, but well enough that he could attend classes. Helena was well known at school that if you were to mistreat her, or any of the girls at the school.. she would come for you. Because of that many girls were her friends, and many of the boys feared her, and treated girls with the utmost respect. She was a fighter, always been! She had a violent streak on her if need be. She was the daughter of an professor in science and medical arts. They had money, but not enough to earn any kind of true titels. Helena had learned to fight from her brothers, who, after finding out that she had magic wanted their sister safe in that damn school she had to go to. Not that it was known that girls were hurt, but they just were that protective of her. She was called over to the high mage his office most of any student, mostly because she had broken a nose or caused a black eye.

Salvador thought of his wife, how she would have broken every single bone in his body for what he had done to Melia, and she would outright kill him if she was to find out about the other girls. He did not feel any shame, but for the first time in decades he knew that he should. "I will have someone send to help you with the dress you are to wear. You .. looked .. decent..' he told her, trying to force out a compliment as he found that he had to.. decent.. he could not even tell her she looked absolutely radiant. He was such an idiot.... "I will have Edward Mode know that I do wish to see your natural shapes more. Not for him to force them away as he had done with the dress you wore today. He might not be happy about it, but he will do as I tell him.. or I will have him stripped of his clothes and run naked around the streets.. " He smiled, that at least he liked to say and do. "You will join me for dinner today, wear something appropriate." he told her before he started to walk out of her room.

[Scottie]

Her breath pushed up the sheets and she couldn't bring herself to move. She trembled gently, trying to stay still. If she stayed still then he wouldn't see her. That was how it was right. She wore not a stitch on her body, the first sheet on the bed clung to her and she felt the pillow by her feet move. She flinched violently and then felt it drop back over her feet. She was confused but she held her breath when he spoke. Until you wish for me to do so. Hah. She wanted to laugh at him but she knew that doing so could end badly. Melia did not know if she could trust him. She felt the sheets sigh softly with his touch and her arms grew tense in their position over her. She closed her eyes gently and tried to stop her bottom lip from wobbling. She heard what men would say about her. The blunt words they threw at her, how she needed to have the anger fucked from her. Only when she had a man would her temper be stopped. Samuel had never said such things to her. He had always been kind and gentle, his fingers light as they brushed her hair away from her face. He loved her smile, said it lit up the sky. He loved her eyes, said he could get lost in their waters. For the first time since he had left, she felt a small pang of longing for him.

Silk. The fire was low and she could feel silk. She was basking in the warmth of the fire. She had been waiting for him for a while now. His meetings always ran on. White silk was draped over her body. Lace hugged her curves. The fire was going to go out before he arrived back. She felt a tremor of annoyance float through her body. Then she heard a door. She rolled herself onto her front when he opened the door. A mischievous smile atop her lips. She plucked a strawberry from a bowl and let it rest on her lips. She always could hold him in a trap, have him floating towards her like he was on a cloud. She let her teeth sink into the strawberry and red liquid dribbled down her chin. When he lowered himself heavily to floor beside her, landing on his knees as it was like a goddess had lain on his fur rug. She let her fingers reach his face, brushing his cheek gently before chuckling sweetly. "Hello darling. I've been waiting for you." The next moments were filled with...soft touches...with lust...with sweat trickling down her skin...love...such love.

Melia snapped her eyes open and heard him talk about dinner. The door closed and she sat bolt upright in bed. The covers falling before, leaving her bare back open to the room. Her cheeks burned like nothing else. She cradled her face in her hands and chastised herself..over...and over again. She took a few moments to breath and then heard a small click at the door. A maid peered past the door and when Melia turned around, the maid pushed the door opened and snuck inside. Her cheeks kept that strawberry glow even after the maids had dressed her again. It was a different dress but it held the same shape. It was a dark blue with hints of grey. Perfect for bringing out the colours in her eyes. Melia remained silent for the entire time they were with her. They did the same, what do they say to the woman who was naked in bed...and the king left her room mere seconds ago. Her hair was tugged up and the bed was made again. The door closed and she was alone again. Melia glanced at her reflection before disregarding the mirror. She looked decent enough...surely. She hoped that she had enough time to draw something. So she dropped herself before the desk and reached for some simple pencils. She let her pencil fly over the page. Drawing a strong nose, dark brows, a pointed jaw, a cheeky smile and green eyes.

[Dark Pigeon]

Etiquette, how to treat ones guests He flipped through the pages of the book, his bum softly supported by his favorite chair in his room. He really did not want to read this book, but he was to be a host today.. and he wanted to do it right for a change! He would not read in the library. That was something he had not been doing for ages, or so it seemed. The entire library felt so empty now it was just his, he missed the sound of pages being flipped as he would be reading himself, surrounded by a few other readers. Be polite.. humm... be polite? As if he needed to do that! He was king you know, he was to be polite to! He started reading this particular chapter... shit.. he might be wrong, even he needed to be polite. He flipped back to the first line in this chapter and started reading it all over again. Only so that he would not make any mistakes, he was to do perfect today. Giving compliments, treat them with respect, ask them how their day was and how they are doing, offer food and drink, treat them like you wish to be treated yourself. He scratched the back of his neck, he really should be reading every single page of this book that was to help him getting through a dinner meal like a normal human being. He wanted to make Melia smile after what he had done, make her happy dining with him.. or something close enough to that emotion.

He wanted to see if he could still be that person he had been so very long ago. He remembered it just faintly and wondered if he could ever be like that again. He hated the idea that Melia, through her eyes, could show the soul of his wife who he had become. She would be so angry, he just knew that she would skin him alive if she could. He knew that he had been nice once, good, calm and collected.. but he did not know how to do so anymore. dinner conversations He read this chapter a couple of times, but the more he read it.. the more he knew that they could not possibly talk about these things. He let out a long sigh as he looked over the book again, damn book.. he had read this as a child and even then he found it utterly stupid! He went over every single chapter a second time before he placed the book away and have his servants dress him for the Dinner he would be having with Melia. He had asked for her to sit close by so they could talk, but far enough so she would feel safe. He wanted cakes made with white sugar as that would be more expansive, fresh vegetables and the best meats that they had in stock. It needed to be perfect!

It took his servants a while to get him cleaned and dressed. He wore robe that was made up out of multiple layers of green silks with golden accents and a lovely long trail. His hair was combed back and put into a low ponytail. After he checked himself in the mirror to make sure that everything was perfect, he picked up a small book that was to come with him. A.. present.. something he hoped that Melia would like as she had so clearly showed how she wished to know how it would end. But with that in his hand, and his staff no longer being entirely black as Salvador had been, he walked off to the dining room.... where he knew that Melia would be waiting for him.

[Scottie]

The fine tip of the pencil was slowly growing dull. She had a green one between her teeth as she rubbed the lines to make them fade gently. The green was plucked from her mouth and used to shade the eyes perfectly. When it was finished, she beamed at it. It was carefully placed to the side and she let her pencil drag over the cream paper as she hummed. It was another one of those songs that was stuck in her mind. It didn't make her prickle with sadness or sigh with anger. It made her feel rather content with her drawings. Green was replaced with blue, a dark blue...one that held specks of green. A face that was rounder and held a smile that could fill a room. Melia smiled back at that curved smile and put down her pencils. Pencil would not do this face justice, it required paint. She glanced at the door and sneakily pulled her paints closer to herself. She was careful not to let the paint touch her dress. Not to stain the blue with yellows or oranges. Melia continued to hum until she started to sing subconsciously. Something about black birds. As red swirled onto the page, her voice grew. She didn't even hear the door being knocked, she just continued. She didn't have that bad a singing voice, it was no where near those that were required to sing for the King. But the training they had....spanned decades.

Vermin peered around the door, his hand over his eyes just incase she was still getting dressed. When he heard her singing, he peaked through his fingers and saw her dressed and painting. Melia continued, patting areas dry with her fingers to get the desired effect. Oh that got a response from Vermin. The Imp squealed and rushed into the room. "No touch dress. No touch. Bad. Fingers up." He said scrambling to find a cloth to clean her hands with. Melia jumped and watched the imp rush around the room. She stood slowly and gave him her hands when he started to scrub her fingers. He removed every trace of colour and even the smudges that came from the pencils. "Hm. No paint when in dress. No orange." He chastised her gently until he was certain her hands were clean and she had not dropped paint on her dress. He took her hand and started to tug her out the room. "Dinner now. Be good." Melia nodded as she remembered the last proper meal she had with Salvador. How it ended in blood and pain. "Broken body not good. No broke bones." He asked her as she squeezed his hand gently. "I promise. I'll do as I'm told." Vermin nodded before pushing the door open gently. Peering into the darkness and letting her enter.

He wasn't here yet. That surprised her but she wandered into the room and laid her hands down on her dress. The table was different, she wasn't as far away now. In fact she was close enough that she had only to stand to touch him. She tilted her head and moved around the room. The movements of her dress the only noise in the room, aside for the occasional crackle by the fire.Vermin stayed by the door, he had to be sent away but oh how he wanted to run now. Melia started to hum again, the same song that was embedded in her mind. Vermin let her hum as he snapped his eyes back and forth between the door and her. She wandered around the room, her fingers reaching out to the heat and then letting her eyes pass over every object in that room. Something so familiar about the place, yet it shouldn't be this dark. "Blackbird singing in the dead of night" Her voice carried around the room as she sang sweetly. Vermin threw a small smile her way before hearing that far off clinking. The noise of guards moving, the noise of guards coming to attention when he passed them. Vermin scurried forward so that Melia would stop singing. "Stop now. He near. He coming now." Melia nodded violently so that Vermin felt a little more at ease and let him scurry back to his spot by the door. She wanted to keep Vermin safe this night, so when the doors swung open...she didn't even look up to him. She could tell he was in the room, his presence added a new layer to the room. So she dropped herself into a deep curtsy. Allowing her fingertips to touch the ground. "Good Evening Sire."

[Dark Pigeon]

He always entered the dining room with his guards present, just to make sure that he was not to be attacked by this girl that he just had spend hours with flying around. But dinner, it had knifes, it had forks.. one could even kill with a spoon! He was not taking his changes, not even when he was almost certain that Melia would not fly to his throat and kill him today... or tomorrow. "Good evening Melia" he forced himself to say, trying to smile pleasantly, but failing miserably as his smiles always made you think doom was to come your way. But he tried, dear lord.. the gods knew he was trying! He stopped and looked behind him, the guards standing there, ready to defend their king if Melia was to try anything. She could hardly move without their eyes following her, watching her like damn hawks. She could not possibly feel comfortable with them there, even he did not on occasion. "leave us" he told them sternly. Every single guard looked shocked, the surprise on their faces clear. "Leave.. us.. NOW" Salvador said, not so patient with the guards this time. They all seemed to be confused as they turned around and slowly started to walk away. They looked behind them, not sure if Salvador truly wanted them to leave. But as they got the look of doom, they all quickly scurried out and closed the door behind them, leaving Salvador alone with Melia, some of the household staff.. and of course Vermin. "You to Vermin, out.." Salvador said, this time not using his feet or the staff to make the small imp fly across the room. Vermin was surprised, but he nodded and left right away. Not wanting to test the patients of his lord and master. He bowed deep and wished Melia well as he quickly closed the door behind him.

"You..." Salvador looked at Melia as he walked closer to her, not walking around her as he normally would. Instead he stopped when he stood close to her, but not close enough that he would frighten her in any way. "... look lovely. That dress.. " He thought after saying that.. but what should follow? DAMNED! He did not remember what the book had said about these things. He looked frustrated, cursing at himself as he was already getting tired of being normal as he wanted to be just his evil self again.. so much easier! Why was this feeling like walking through a mountain of shit? He looked up at her again, all his hospitality fading away as he rose his eyebrow as he gave her a quick lookover before he walked away to his chair and just stat down. "SIT!" he told her, if she had not already done so than she better be quick about it.

[Scottie]

Melia heard him speak and slowly rose back up to standing. She saw his smile and tried to respond with one of her own. But it was terrifying to watch him force a smile on his face. She knew he could smile naturally...but when he forced one on his face he looked like he was in pain. As she stood upright, the guards watched her carefully. She took a small step back and they followed her every movement. She felt like she was being scrutinised every step she took, her eyes dropped to the ground until she heard him speak. Leave us. She was as confused as the guards when she heard that request. She stopped herself from flinching when he shouted at them. Melia gave Vermin a small wave goodbye, happy that he was walking away from the room and not hobbling. She gave Vermin a small smile and then snapped her eyes back to Salvador. He came close but he wasn't stalking her like a tiger does it's prey. She blinked rapidly when he said...that she looked lovely.

She could almost see the cogs turning in his head, his forehead creasing as he was getting angry about something. She opened her mouth to respond but he stormed away. She stayed still, staring at the door until he barked at her. She slowly turned around and cast him a look before moving to the table. She sank into her chair and folded her hands over her lap. She dragged her eyes up to look at him and let her eyes flick over him. "You look rather handsome tonight Sire. The colours suit you." She said with a small polite nod. She had said it so easily that it would surely surprise him. With a click of his fingers, the doors opened and the first course was brought. An elegant soup was placed before them each and a small plate filled with freshly baked crusty rolls. Melia waited for him to start eating before taking a small mouthful of her soup. It was of something that she had never had before, but it was pleasant. Wine was poured as was a glass of water. Melia reached for the wine glass before pausing and moving her fingers to wrap around the glass of water. She took a small sip and did as he had done their first night together in opening the bead roll. She was careful and did as she had been instructed all those weeks ago. "Thank you for letting me join you." Melia flicked her eyes back to him and let a sweet smile pass her lips before popping a piece of bread into her mouth.

[Dark Pigeon]

His eyebrow rose up when she stated that those colors suited him, why did she say that? These were the royal colors, he had green eyes.. of course they fucking suited him!! He wanted to tel her that, tell her how utterly stupid she was for stating that those color suited him! But then he remembered something from the book he had read before and how he had read that giving a compliment was a way to break the ice and get conversations started. Ooohh.... she was being nice, damn.. he hardly recognized it for what it was. He really should be reading all those other books about this subject. She could see how he was puffing up his chest to scream at her, asking what she meant.. if she even knew why he always wore those colors! But as he finally seemed to realize what she did, he un-puffed and relaxed in his seat while snapping his finger so the first course could be brought in. He did not thank her for the compliment, he even seemed to ignore it while their plates were put on the table, revealing what they were to eat that evening. Ah yes, soup.. one always would start with a soup.

He took the first bite and approved if its taste, after that Melia was free to eat as well. He took another bite when she thanked him for inviting her for dinner. He gently placed down his spoon and dapped his lips clean "You are welcome" he said as he forced himself to say those word and speak them in such a manner that almost sounded pleasant. "I.. hope you like the soup" He said as he gestured to the plate in front of her before he picked up his spoon again. They sat their silently, eating their soup while Salvador was trying his best to come up with a subject. Only after a few minutes he came up with something, why he had thought of it so long he did not know.. he might be slowly going insane, it was a possibility.

"I hope you had a pleasant afternoon today. I had not thought us to spend our time int he library quite the way we had." He took bite from his crusty roll. He had enjoyed himself, or for as far as he was able to enjoy himself with something that felt so mundane as flying around a library for him. But he could not say that he had hated it, that he had not once felt a smile creep up his face. "It can feel quite liberating to fly, to be a bird. I quite like it myself. If you liked seeing the library from a birds eyes view... think what would happen you were to fly outside?" He tried that smiling thing again, a smile that would even make the devil run away in fear.

[Scottie]

It was as if every one of his thoughts could be read by his facial expressions. She watched the confusion, the anger and then surprisingly the reservation from insulting her. His whole body had swelled up with anger for it as he snapped his fingers. She kept watching him as the maids left the room. She heard his speak but merely took another spoonful of soup until he spoke again. She snapped her eyes up to him and nodded. "It is very nice." She responded with a small smile. She returned to her soup and enjoyed the bread roll that came with it. She was very much pleased to have such a meal, she just hoped that their meal together would end better than it had before. She cut off another piece of her roll and flicked her eyes from the food before her to him. She nodded happily, "I did. The library is beautiful." She tried to ignore how their afternoon had ended and just concentrated on the flying. Oh goodness his smile was terrifying. Even when it seemed like he was enjoying the topic of conversation.

Her eyes went wide and her spoon froze in mid air. "Outside?" He nodded and she placed the spoon back into the soup. "Seeing the library from that point of view was glorious. It was like I was cloud in the sky. But outside...Having that much to explore..." Her smile slowly shrunk as she thought about what it was like outside. The grey and death that would be underneath her. Hovering over her familys house and watching them starve. Watching the beggars as they tried to keep themselves floating. The dead animals that seemed to litter every corner, the dying fields. Watching her brother try and fail to get food for his new family. Watching her sister from above as she struggled to hobble along the street. It was like a glaze of film went over her eyes. Like she was lost in her thoughts. She had been stuck here for what felt so long...only feeling someone elses memories...that she forgot her own. She had forgotten how her mother kissed her forehead every night. How her father always tried to bring back a pretty rock for her mother every week. They would never get soup like this, they would never truly feel as warm as she did...and she had spent her time here resenting everything. "I am sure it would be wonderful." Her words faint as she returned her gaze to her soup. Finishing what was in the bowl and placing her cutlery down. Her hands returned to her lap as she realised she had to keep the conversation going.

It was like she had this inkling in her head. If she left him to think for too long, his anger would build up and up until he exploded. So she let out a small sigh as she raised her eyes to him. Pulling a smile back on her face but it did not reach her eyes. "Where would you fly to?" She asked him politely. Doing as Vermin had pleaded, keep him happy. Don't annoy him or give him reason to hurt anyone.

[Dark Pigeon]

She had liked it, that was good. It meant that his entire afternoon had not been a waste of time. He had better things to do, and his counsel men had been quite frustrated that their king had given so little attention to the problems his kingdom had. Instead he had been flying around with this girl, this damn girl that they were not happy with in the first place. He smiled, a smile that dropped as he saw that see seemed to be lost in her thoughts. He could only guess what it was she was thinking of. Maybe she had realized that spending time outside flying, wasn't as wonderful rigth now. To fly over these dying lands wasn't all that wonderful, it was rather depressing. But he did not ask, instead he kept eating his soup as he wondered what the girl was thinking about.

But then she asked him such a surprising question where did he want to go. Nobody had ever asked him this question. Well, not in a very long time that is. He kept in his castle ever since his wife had died, he feared being murdered by his own subjects or spies that walked those city streets. He was just that paranoid. "I..." he placed his spoon down, he liked this question. He truly seemed to love the very idea of answering it! He thought for a moment, and then nodded as he knew where he would go. "The abandoned elven-woods. I would soar between the giant trees. Trees so big that one could fit this entire castle into them. To see the Chrystal lakes, the old architecture of the elves. I want to visit the tree peaked mountains." He smiled, the very idea of these magical places, so far away from his kingdom brought him some peace of mind. Salvador shifted in his seat and thought of more wonderful places. "Everywhere but here to be honest. To never see these dying lands ever again, not to hear the pleads of my people that they wish for me to restore life back into it." He frowned, yes.. he hated it. He hated it that he was the king of a land that was dying, he was a king of nothing... and he hated the fact that this wonderful magical place wasn't what it used to be. He looked at his soup, this .. wonderful soup that brought some warmth back into his bones. He knew that his people had nothing to eat.. he knew that he did not give them any of his.. and still he cared to little to truly did something about it. He looked back at her "Then I ask you Melia... what is it that you would change in this.. wonderful (he said with such sarcasm) kingdom, anything.. what would it be??"

[Scottie]

She had thrown him off with her question. She didn't know if that was a problem or not, but if he started screaming she would know shortly. She blinked rapidly with his answer, elven woods. Her forehead creased gently, she had never heard of it before. She couldn't even imagine it. Trees big enough to fill the entire castle. That can't be true. But she smiled as he answered. It made his eyes light up to talk about it and the smile that tugged onto his face was genuine. She wanted to keep it there, let others see that he wasn't a monster. But then he frowned. He aired her thoughts, the dying lands, the pleads of the people that lived here. She was one of those a mere month ago, pleading for change. Even if it came from leaving this god damn place. Melia heard his question and brought herself back to reality. Change. She felt like if she spoke, 20 odd years of hatred would come spilling out at once. She would scold him and throw the soup in his face. She would tear the wallpaper down and burn this place to the ground.

But she blinked slowly and let out a long sigh. "I do not know where to start....I would wish to change the land...paint it with life again. The land is where many people struggle to find a livelihood." She let her eyes drift back to the centre piece on the table. It was intricate, bejewelled and gold laden. It would be enough to feed her entire village for easily a month. "I would change the sky. Bring back the sun. I would change everything I could...but..." She trailed off before dragging her eyes back to him. "I think I'd want only one thing to change." She tilted her head gently. "I'd want you to be happy." She couldn't even smile at him. It was like Melia and another person inside her skull were saying that. "I'd want you to smile like you did a moment ago again. Not leave us but just be happy.. I...I feel like it all links together. " She chewed at her bottom lip and let out a small sigh. "I don't know. Maybe all I want to change is that forest. It reeks of death." She played with her spoon and put it back beside her plate. She took a sip of her wine, refusing to touch the water now. She felt like it would be a wine night.

[Dark Pigeon]

He already knew what she would be telling him, it was not rocket science (even though rockets were not invented yet), everyone always wanted to same damn thing. He almost mouthed every single word she said while she did, he had heard to so fucking many times that it had become boring. Not that he had asked for his counsel-mans opinion on the matter, but they were right.. and he agreed.. yes something needed to be done. Well, find someone who can stop it then! He carefully rolled his eyes, he would not do so loudly as he did not want this girl to think he was angry. Then you got the whining again, the begging, the soft cries for him to stop. He already had a headache, he did not need her to add more to it. If he did not need something today, it would be someone begging for its life, it always became so stressful at the end.

Then his ears perked, he looked up and frowned. Wh.. what did she say? Now... that he did not believe, he did not believe for a second that this .. girl, this... Melia.. wanted him to be happy. How the fuck, why? She knew what made him smile now right, she knew what brought him some sense of peace ; The pain of others. Did she even think of that when she said this stupid damn thing? Now this was even getting even richer! It was all connected, did she.. did she just say that his happiness would make the land go better again. He could not help but to laugh. First a chuckle, then.. louder. He wiped the tears from his eyes and shook his head. "You dumb girl, you think like so many others that I can take the life out of a land.. all by myself? Can't your small head not even comprehend the amount of power that is needed to do so?" He chuckled again and snapped his fingers. He was done with the soup, he wanted the smoked ribs right now. His plate, as well that of Melia was taken away by his staff and new plates were added on the table moments later. "I tell you now girl, and you properly will not believe it when I say this. No matter how strong I am, how well I handle my magic... I can not do that, nor will I ever be able to do so." He looked down at his plate and frowned. This was not the way he wanted to plates to be made up! It was all wrong! He snapped his fingers again, the girl that had brought their food came running back and held her head low as Salvador pointed at the plates. "Tell Benjamin that I do not wish for his wife to make up the plates. This looks like a fucking mess, have him do it over" He told the poor young lady before she ran off with both plates.

Salvador calmly looked over at Melia again. He was not yet done telling her how things worked, and how very wrong she had been. "All I can do is to keep this city safe, for one place in this entire land that we can grow crops, where we can raise cattle and keep those who are loyal to me safe from the death you are so very used to. That is what I can do, and I do not need to be fucking happy for it." He shook his head, why the fuck had she insulted him by telling him he should be happy. He did not WANT to be happy, he wanted to be angry! Because if he was happy, than he had forgotten about what been done to him by those monsters that had taken is family away from him. "Happy.. how insulting" he muttered.

[Scottie]

She had expected screams. Expected anger. Infact, she would have preferred it. To hear him laugh, it made her hands curls into fists. She shook her head gently and moved her eyes back to staring at the centre piece. She was so very done with him now. She wanted to go back to her room and paint. She wanted to go see the few people in this castle who made her smile, who made her chuckle...not sit there uncomfortable while they mocked her. Her plate was taken from before her. New plates were placed before them and Melia didn't know how to eat such a thing. She thought they looked alright and then he demanded that they go away...all because of the layout that Becky had given them. There was nothing wrong with them...nothing. Her jaw tensed and she snapped her eyes up to him. A new sense of rage filled her veins. "It's because you took away her eyes...She can't see what she is doing." Her words like poison that she spat at him. When he muttered at her, oh her anger reached new peaks. She shook her head gently, her words barely escaping from her clenched teeth. "You don't understand do you?" The grey in her eyes was like the beginning of a storm. Only thunder and lightening would follow. "She wants you happy. That's what she wants." Melia tilted her head as she watched him.

"I...I want whatever fuck wits are causing that death on this land....to experience it for themselves. To feel the rot enter their skin. To watch their family crushed by famine, by illness, by slow and painful death. No release. Nothing. Death is the only thing we can count on in that world." She let out a sharp breath before turning her glares back to the centre piece. "You say that you keep those loyal to you safe....I know many a man who has gone off to war...loyal to their king...and..n.." She trailed off and dropped her eyes to the empty space on the table where her plate should be. "I know mothers who tell their children that we must be loyal to our king. For he is our king. You think that loyalty is restricted to only this castle....that it does not exist on your battle fields or the field that bring up nothing but ash." She shook her head softly, her eyes still on her hands. Thinking about that war always stopped her anger in it's tracks, harshly forcing sadness into her heart. She knew so many young men who had gone off to fight, to keep their village safe, to show their loyalty to the king in hopes that when they succeeded they could get better land...or even leave. But they never returned home. She clasped her hands before her stomach and let out a shaky breath.

"I apologise for suggesting something so insulting." Her voice snapped back to that neutral tone. But her eyes remained on the table. All she could see was Alex, who had left a young wife and child behind. Thomason, who left elderly parents with no one to help them. Johnson, Norbert, Alistair, Smith, Junior, Mervin, Maxwell....their faces just kept coming up. Knowing what they left behind. The last face made her smile, it was a small sad smile but it was a smile. He had wanted so badly to prove his loyalty. The guards had taunted him about it when they picked on his sister. That such a large lad would do well on the battlefield...was he too chicken to enlist? But Melia knew the real reason. He could barely hurt a fly. He stood before his sisters and his mother to protect them. But he was the last one to throw a punch. Melia was often the one throwing them on his behalf. Sweet Samuel. With bright blue eyes, with soft curly blonde hair and perfect dimples when he smiled. Such a gentle giant that was probably brought to his knees by some blood thirsty enemy. Melia dragged her eyes back up to Salvador, removing the smile from her face but tears twinkled in her eyes.

[Dark Pigeon]

Well, well, well... look at who forgot to keep her manors. She was in the room of a king, of a powerful mage, of a very handsome fellow! She dared to talk to him like that? She had some balls, but then again.. he knew that the soul she had was the cause of it. That was one soul that was pretty well hang. He could not even get her to stop, his angry warning glare was not to stop her spouting those words at him. Really, if his guards had been in here she would have been punished for her insults! "YOU... you were the one that got her eyes taken from her fat round head. If you had not been wandering around parts of the castle that you are not allowed in. She would still be able to look at her sons lovely little face" He spat at her when she was finally ready telling him what she was thinking. "Do you not dare to blame me for what had happened, she should have been keeping an eye out on you. She failed, so she looses them. It is your selfishness that got her blind!" He snarled at her, he would not have her blame him for something she had done!

He had both hands on the table by now, his breathing was heavy as he was growing violently angry so very easily. He had told him to be pleasant today, that he should do what was needed to make this a nice meal for both of them. But he was failing, and if he hated something more than idiots or un-loyal people.. it was failing himself. He closed his eyes and took in a few deep breaths, calming himself down so he could do what he had told himself to do.. and that was being pleasant. "I.. wish to bring that pain to those who have brought this misery to my land. I want them to watch everything around them die, to experience that sensation that one is utterly powerless of what is happening around them. But... no matter what you think of me, what kind of man I am to you. Even I can not bring such cruelty to those who do not deserve it. But I can not.. no matter how much I try stop it" He hated it, he hated it that he had to admit to this girl that he was powerless of it came to the suffering his people went through. He took in another deep breath and looked up at her, his eyes still betraying that something was burning bright inside him. "I.. know that many are loyal. I have seen it in young men that have no reason to be loyal to a king that makes them fight a war that he himself is to .. much of a coward for.. to fight himself" he said, every word coming out as a struggle.

He looked up as a maid came walking back with the plates. The food on it had been arranged differently and Salvador looked more pleased with it now. "But I am grateful for what they do, and I dislike the fact that I have to force others to fight when they would rather spend their damn time with their families. But this is their land as well, this is their country. Because of that they should do as I tell them, they should be fighting so we can take back what is being taken away from us. So light can shine over the lakes again, over the fields and the roofs of their houses. For farmers to be farmers again, for cattle to grow fat and happy." He looked up at her, why he could talk to her like this, why he was telling her this.. he did not know. But he felt more with her than anyone else that he needed to proof himself. "There is no need for you to be sorry. You have said nothing offensive or wrong. I should not be exploding over every single think one says. If anyone is to be sorry over anything.. it has to be me. For dragging you to have dinner with me, asking you questions only so I can grow angry. " He said as he looked away, ashamed that he was admitting he had been wrong towards her. "... and for what I had done earlier today. It was not right of me to make you believe that I would force myself upon you. I stand by what I said, I will not make you in any sort of way, I will not control your mind to wishing so, nor will I do anything to your family. If you wish to lay with me, than it be so. But until that.. you will be safe." He carefully looked up, and took in a deep breath. He looked like that small boy at school again, the one that was being bullied by both teachers and other students. "Nor will I ever make you walk around without clothes. But.. I do hope.. that in the future, you wish to fly around the castle and dive onto the head of the guards.. just to make them jump up in frustration.. "

[Scottie]

She dropped her eyes as soon as he started to spout his anger. She knew she was at fault for that...but he did it. He tore her eyes from her head...for no real reason at all. Her hands curled into fists as she heard him, call her selfish. Her jaw tensed and she had to hold her breath as he said this was her fault. She dragged her eyes up to see him when he started to talk about this land. He threatened these people with death every minute of the day, why the hell could he not stop the people that were tearing apart his own land. Her anger burned through him as she glared at him. Who did not deserve it....it was like the fire in her heart was flaring up. More and more kindling was added. He called himself a coward, but she already knew that. She knew that from the moment she stepped into this castle. Only a coward would walk everywhere with guards, would only attack people with an audience.

The plates were brought back but she kept her burning eyes on him. Of course he was grateful, for he did not have to die alongside them. She shook her head as he spoke. He was lying, never again would sunshine cover her village. Not when so many had been taken from them, not in her life time...not even in her nephew's life. She watched him drag his eyes away, telling her that she need not apologise. If she didn't, then she feared her tongue would be on the plate. She dragged her eyes to the plate, noticing how the vegetables had been moved around and it was all in a different presentation. She wanted nothing more than to put it back the way it was before. She snapped her eyes up when he talked about earlier. Her jaw was still tense when she thought about it. She wanted to tell him that she had grown accustomed to such threats. That it was a common day fear now. But she refrained. " It's ok. I understand" She uttered gently. He looked different from the anger that had spouted mere moments ago. But she couldn't really forgive him. "Maybe" Her words quiet as she waited for him to start eating. "I do not want to give the guards any reason to harm anyone. Or go into the village again...." She trailed off again and took a small gulp of her wine. The bright colour stained her lips and burned her throat.

"I...I am sorry for what I said earlier...I mean..I have known only grey skies...and dead grass...To see memories of bright green grass and perfect blue skies...It makes me angry that I wont see that. That my sister or my brothers wont see it...." Her words trailed off again and her smile left. She snapped her eyes up to him and watched him carefully. She had a question burning a hole in the end of her tongue. She wanted to ask him so badly, but she had been told not to since she arrived here. She wanted to know, if he was even still alive. Was he in here somewhere? Was he alive....

[Dark Pigeon]

He had noticed that she did not know how to eat this ribs, she had not been told that one used its hands for such a meal. He showed her, he ripped off another piece and took and ribbed the meat of the bone with his teeth. Only when she mimicked him he stopped showing her how to eat something as simple as ribs, something he quite liked eating himself as he got to use his hands. He then showed her what that small bowl with water was for, cleaning his fingers after he dipped them dry on a small pure white napkin. "I... I am ... saddened by the idea that your family might never see those green fields, fat cows, happy people around them. For them to feel food inside their bellies. I do hope that one day you can show them these riches that so many take for granted. I promise you that change will come, and it will come sooner than you might think." he told her as he watched her succeeding in eating something as ribs.

He stopped mid bite, the piece of rib that he had tore off with his bare hands hanging in the air between his mouth and his plate. "I.. I can show you those skies, those green fields.. fat cows and farmers working their fields" he said as he seemed to be struck by something he would have called a good idea. He wanted to make this a pleasant night did he not? He could.. yes he could do that.. he could bring her to see those painting he had been hiding for such a long time. Paintings of how it used to be, as the land had been so very rich with life. Paintings of the woods, of farmers working the fields, of spring and fall.. he knew she would love the colors of each and every single painting. He nodded as he agreed that this was the thing they were to do. "I have paintings.. many paintings that portrayal how this land used to be. If you wish to see them, than you are free to do so after dinner." he said as he sported a little smile.

[Scottie]

The ribs before her looked appetising...but she did not know what forks and knives would be used for them. Panic flooded her so she looked to him. For she could always copy him. She watched him carefully and then slowly copied him. The meal was delicious and she kept her hands clean whenever she touched anything else. She took a small gulp of her wine and glanced back to him. Melia didn't know if she could believe him. Why would he care about her family? Or anyone else at all? She gave him a small nod but she didn't believe that change could come while she was still breathing. She licked her lips and watched him stop mid bite. She frowned but returned to her meal. It was like her ears pricked up, she froze and glanced at him. "Show those skies..." She blinked rapidly. Her eyes lit up when she heard the word painting. "Paintings? Really?" When he nodded, she grinned widely. "I would love to...I've only been painting what I have stuck in my head."

Drawings of blue eyes, red curls and dimples. Drawings of a man with green eyes and a sharp chin. The front cover of a book, a dress or two, a drawing of a painting she knew. She had even started to map out what she could remember of the castle. She had secretly drawn drawings of her family, of Samuel, of Becky and Vermin and Goat. She had drawn into the small hours of the morning and snuck back into bed to catch a few hours of sleep. But the person she drew the most...was him. Drawings of him in different robes, of his eyes, of his face....She could draw it from memory, so she had two different views of him. One where his cheeks were sunken in and his eyes held a cold look...then one where his cheeks were fuller and his eyes were filled with life. "I could show them to you as well." She asked him gently, snapping herself back from her day dream. "I can't paint blue skies...but I do what I can." She gave him a small smile before taking another gulp of wine. Deep red stained the inside of her lips and the wine slid down her throat. She knew that another glass or two and she would get tipsy.

[Dark Pigeon]

He knew that she was painting, something his wife had never done by the way. But to hear that she did, it gave him some idea that a soul could change the things it liked and what not. You never truly was the same... meaning that he could be someone else after he died, and that he had been someone else before this life.. it brought comfort strangely enough. Comfort that he wasn't truly a dark soul, but just one that became dark after the life it had been through. "I would very much like to see your paintings. I am sure that you improve with each painting you make" He told her as gently as he possibly could, but with everything he tried to do friendly.. he just failed by sounding as if he did not mean it. "Oh nonsense. You will be able to paint blue skies after you seen these wonderful paintings, each and ever single one made by the greatest masters of our past. There are paintings that make you almost see the people inside of them come to life." he said as he tried to smile pleasantly.. but you know.. he always fails doing so.

The rest of the dining experience had to be better than the first part, or the dining experience she had before. Salvador told her some stories about the greatest painters that had lived, and how he could gift her with some space to paint, only so she did not need to do so in her own room. It was just uncalled for, paint could drop on the expansive carpeting.. her dresses could become stained. Instead of telling her she could not, he told her where she could and what she would be wearing while painting. It might be slightly uncomfortable, but it was better than him stating that she was not allowed.. at all.

After a simple dessert of some fresh fruit and some more wine. Salvador felt that both were ready to leave and go and see those paintings. He would not show her the paintings of his family, even he had not seen them for a long time as he could not bare to have both is wife and child looking down at him. But those paintings of landscapes and his forefathers.. those he was able to show her, and they were frequently visited by him, and him alone. He tried to smile as he walked with her through the castle, he tried to make her feel like they were going to do something fun together. "What do you wish for first Melia.. to show me your paintings.. or to see those I keep myself?"

[Scottie]

She let a small smile creep onto her lips when he said he wished to see them. She would just need to make sure to hide some of them before he saw them. She knew that he was trying his best, but it was a tense dinner. He was trying to be pleasant and trying he would continue to do. Dinner was odd to say the least. She ate her meal as best as she could. While getting a gentle lecture from him on what to wear, where to paint etc etc. She didn't tell him that the maids had already gifted her old rags to line the floor with when she painted...or that she painted in her under dress. It allowed her to breathe and feel comfortable as the brush dragged across the canvas. But she nodded. Agreeing with his orders to stop herself from staining her clothing and ruining his carpets. Desert was pleasant and was accompanied with another gulp of wine. Her cheeks held a light pink blush as she watched him stand. She pulled herself to standing and kept her hands clasped before her as they walked through the castle. It was unsettling how familiar it felt to be walking side by side with him through these halls.

Melia snapped her eyes to him and thought for a moment. "We could see mine first if that is alright." She asked him sweetly, mostly because she was still worried about having him come into her room after darkness had fallen. Melia led him along though she was certain he knew the way. She opened the door and was glad to see that the maids had tied up the bedroom. Her bed was made and her clothing was back in the wardrobe. Melia wandered in and started to flip through the dry paintings she had on the desk. She mumbled to herself gently before plucking up a few. She wandered back to him and showed him three. They were all rather good for someone who only painted with mud and dried grass back in the village. She chewed at her bottom lip as she showed him the first. It was a rather gnarled looking tree, the trunk was full of knots and the roots seemed to drag up from the earth. The branches were empty and it held a coldness to it. "I see this most nights." She said softly before handing him the drawing to show him the second. "This is the flower I saw....there..." She trailed off and showed him the golden flower that lay in his old bed chambers. It looked like it would jump right off the page. She thinking about that flower, so much that she often woke expecting to see it.

"In fact...I was going to ask....If I may hang this from the wall...I keep expecting to see it every morn." She handed him the next painting and showed him the final one that she wished to show him. The book on the paper was dark green, it was fading around the corners and the gold writing was squiggles because she couldn't really remember it. But she knew that the blue feather was jutting just out the top. It was a brilliant blue that stood out against the dead grass that she had painted it in. Melia didn't tell him why she had painted it or even what it was. She merely went back to chewing at her bottom lip as she handed him the next painting before moving back to her desk. She let her fingertips drag some of the paintings apart and glanced at them. Not really sure which one to show him....if any at all.

[Dark Pigeon]

Gawds... those paintings. He was used to look upon those made by the grand masters of their time. People who could paint so incredibly well that you thought to look upon the real thing. He had paintings of people, you would swear you saw them blinking, breathing! Trees that would be swaying in the wind, birds who could take off into flight at any given moment. But these, damn.. as if a drunk monkey with Parkinson had drank a bucket full of paint and had vomited all over the canvas. If this had not been Melia, and if he had not told himself to be a good host.. he would be telling her this. But instead he did what every single parent had mastered.. he smiled and seemed to like what he was looking at. Don't forget, he had a son at one point. One that would make him drawings and macaroni/pasta necklaces. He had mastered this look, he knew how to make that 'oh, wauw.. that is pretty' face while secretly he wasn't all that impressed.

"You have a gift, it is not perfect but for one that started painting only so very recently." He watched her as she picked up another painting. It was.. better, but don't forget.. he was used to utter perfection. Even this just made him frown inside his mind. But he showed her a 'pleasant' smile, for as far as he was able to do so "I will have someone send in here to hang this particular painting to my walls" He said, hating himself already that he would have someone make a hole in these strong old walls to hang something that could have been made by that same drunk monkey. But he kept himself from stating that... again... and looked around her shoulder as she thought of the next painting she was to show him. Now.. he knew everything that went on in this room, he knew what paintings she had made and how many, what colors she used the most and which the least.. he knew what brushes she preferred and which she did not like. Yes, he knew about her painting in her under dress.. he knew every .. single.. detail.

"Show me the paintings you made, of the man with green eyes. How he was, and how he seems to you now" he told her as he slowly moved closer. He kept his staff at the door, it did not need to follow him as he walked up to her to see what she tried to keep him from seeing. "I know that you have been painting him.. and I wish to see .. how he looks to you" He said softly, not wanting to scare her with what he suggested, as he was pretty sure that she would feel that showing him those paintings.. would be the last thing she wanted to do.

[Scottie]

Melia chewed at her thumb as she glanced back at him. She could tell he was lying. It was obvious, what king would tell some random farm girl that she had a gift. His smile made her recoil so she snapped her eyes back to the paintings before her. She was pleased that he would allow her to put the painting up on the walls. She missed it really, it was the first thing on her mind when she awoke. Seeing that golden flower, then turning in bed to see dark hair and long eyelashes. She shook her head gently. She heard him and froze, keeping her back to him. The man with green eyes. She heard him coming closer and pulled them up to her chest. They were all dry so no paint transferred. How did he know. How did he know. Had he been spying? Had the maids been telling him? What had they told him? She turned back to him,the paintings still held close against her chest.

Her eyes wide. "I...I..." She snapped her mouth shut as she glanced down at the paintings before her. She gulped down her fear and knew that not showing him would probably end in pain. So she turned around the first to show him. It was a shadowy figure from afar, the only clear feature on the face was the bright green eyes. She handed him the first one before showing him the next one. She couldn't speak the entire time she showed him those paintings. The second was the first one she had properly drawn of him. It was badly shaded but he could tell it was him. His eyes held that coldness and he had that strong sharp jaw. Her name was scrawled at the bottom of each page. Another was held up and the man on the page was not him. He had not seen him in years, his reflection did not show that man anymore. His cheeks were not hollow, his hair was pulled back into a long ponytail and his eyes held kindness in them. She swallowed gently and took a small step forward to him. Showing him painting after painting. The man with green eyes by the fireplace, the fire hitting his face beautifully. The man in the library, his nose in a book but his green eyes up on her. The final one was odd, it was on the side. Like he was laying beside her, his hair had been tucked behind his ear not by him but another. The smile on his face was so natural, so calm....so gentle.

Melia handed him the last one and kept her tense fingers infront of her. She shook softly. "I..I...Um...They changed." She said softly. She snapped her eyes back to the desk. "I started them as soon as I came to this room...but they changed...with every memory that came...after our time in the library...or when I read for you." She turned back to the desk and plucked up another. Holding it gently, like it was a child. "I did this one before dinner." It was a drawing done in charcoal. It was better than the others but still mediocre at best. The man's lower face was missing, only his eyes and nose were in the photo as well as slick black hair. The eyes were smiling, it was obvious even with the missing mouth. The only colour other than black was the green. It burned through the page and she handed it to him as she dropped her eyes to the floor.

[Dark Pigeon]

He waited patiently for her to show her those paintings.. and felt unable to show her any reaction. That was him, it really was. It was not perfect but he could see that she had tried to make the paintings to his liking. Especially those in which he looked healthy, friendly, like he was still enjoying life. He did not even recognizance the man in those paintings, it had been so very long ago that he had seen that man stare back at him through the mirror. He missed that face, he missed how he enjoyed live ones. Reading books into the wee hours, spending time with those he called friends. He missed being healthy, not to feel cold all the damn time, he missed being himself. All that only started to hit him pretty hard as he saw those drawings.. the worst of them was the charcoal drawing she had made, the one that showed his eyes but not the lower part of his face. He gently took it from her hands and walked away with it, staring at his own eyes as they seemed.. happy.. full of life. This painting looked more alive than he did.

He found the mirror that stood in her room and looked into it, then back at the painting, back at himself, painting, himself. He backed off from the mirror and sat down on her bed. Just looking at this reminded himself of how he had changed. How he had changed from this.. gentle soul, to this cold man he had become now. "I.." he said, his fingers now brushing his own chin, his hollow cheeks. He looked at them, how they had become bony and cold and hard. He used to have such soft hands, warm... something he was teased with as many a man found that he had girly hands and not those of a man. Now they were even worse, you could see where a bone began or ended.. he was skin and bones, and no matter how much he ate.. he just started to look more sickly with time. "How I have changed" he said as he looked back at the drawing again. He.. he did not know what to say next, he just watched that drawing as so many memories started to come back. "If anyone was to ever tell me when I was a child, that I would become.. who I am now. I would never have believed it. How... " He frowned, he really did not like that change, but he had grown to be so very comfort in it. He felt that it was the only way to protect himself, to keep the power he had. Be a harsh ruler, no mercy, make them do what you say or else!..... it worked, but.. did it really?

[Scottie]

He didn't say anything, so she kept her hands close to her chest. He walked away with them and she felt fear flood her body. Was he going to chuck them from the window? Or throw them into the fire? She had worked on those, they were important. She could already hear her pleading voice, telling him to leave them be please. But he walked to the mirror and looked in it. Like he was comparing himself, she following him silently. Watching him brush his chin and then his cheeks. He sat on the bed and she came closer, but she didn't sit beside him. She nodded and could see him watching the drawings. He looked so small sitting there. She dropped her eyes when he talked about what he would have thought about this life as a child. She would not air it, but he looked like her father...back when her brother was taken. Like his body was deflating the more he thought about it. She watched him frown and she moved closer, lowering herself to her knees beside him. "We change...Grief changes a soul." She said softly. "I know that your younger self would not believe this....but he would not believe what has made you this way."

Her words barely left her lips but she kept speaking. "If you had told me...her on your wedding night that this was your future...she would not believe it. But loss....it twists you..." She let herself fall backwards so that her bum rested on her heels. "We all change. I am not the person I was when I first entered this castle.....but change is not permanent." Melia raised her hands slowly and if he allowed it, she would rest her hand against his cheek. Her warm fingers brushing his skin. "What they did...changed you....But I know that man is still in there. I've seen him already." She gave him a small smile. "He appears in small moments, in the library...when we read together...When you were on your horse...Little moments. When you don't have to be so shielded." Melia rested her other hand on the drawings in his grip. "That man is still here...He never left....He just faded to the background." She wanted so badly to rest her forehead against his, but she refrained. She just let her small smile reach her eyes as she watched him.

[Dark Pigeon]

He listened to her, almost as if he was interested in her opinion in this matter. He knew she was right, he was not a damn idiot. He was stubborn, dear lord he was that! And rather childish.. of you want to call it that. His eyes were still on the drawing, those kind eyes he had once seen stare back at him from the mirror. How they had smiled every single day he woke up. To be married to this amazing woman, being the father of a wonderful little boy. His kingdom had not been in war, but still he had so much work that needed to be done in a daily bases while all he truly wanted.. was to read his books and be with his wife. He slowly nodded as she said that his younger self would have never believed the reason of his sudden change. His younger self would never have believed that the lovely red headed girl would be his wife. How could he then believe that this wonderful woman would be killed, as well as his little boy? No.. never .. he would never have believed it. He nodded again when she said that she.. his wife, would have never believed it that she would be killed by someone the entire world seemed to trust without any doubt.

He slowly looked up from that drawing again, he was not yet ready to let go of it. "That man.. he one you have drawn here so... " He looked down at it again, not able to get himself to tell her that in his eyes she had drawn his liking rather perfectly. He smiled a very careful smile as she said that she had seen him, how he was there when he was riding his horse or when he was reading a book, even when they flew around together in a playful matter in the library earlier that day. He was to tell that this man in the picture was long gone, but she told him that she had seen him.... that surprised him as he truly thought that he was no longer able to be like that. As she gently touched his cheek he rested it against her hand. It felt so.. good.. so very comforting for someone to touch him without fear, without being told to. She wanted to do this, she wanted her warm fingers to touch his cold cheeks. He placed his hand against her hand and kept it there. "Help me" he said.. so very soft that she could not hear what he said. "help me.. I can't go on like this.. it is destroying me" he said a bit louder, his voice riddled with fear as he had his eyes closed

[Scottie]

How a smile could change a face. She watched his lips curl as he looked down at the painting again. She was so certain that he would chuck it away, snap at her hand and storm out. But he smiled and stayed there. Allowing her warm fingers to touch his cool skin. She felt his face lean into her touch and then his hand trailed up to lay over hers. She could see his lips moving every so slightly, but no noise came out. Help me...I can't go on like this...it is destroying me. She blinked rapidly at his choice of words and her smile dropped. He sounded like her brother had...the day he had been taken. He sounded like Samuel when he knew the next day he had to leave. He sounded like her mother when her sister was harmed...such fear in their voices. Such fear for the future. She let out a small sigh and let her other hand trail up to rest on his other cheek. "How?" She let the word slip from her lips. "Tell me how I can help you Salvador." She rubbed her thumb against his cheek and felt a painful tingling flood across her neck. "Tell me how I can save you."

She waited a moment before raising herself up on her knees again and shuffling forward. Just forward enough that her forehead could rest against his. She was so warm compared to him, he felt like someone so close to death. "I wont let it." The words were not her own...well it was a mix. Of a longing to have that world back, the one she had glimpsed at...one of peace and joy. Her words brushed her skin, she smelt of strawberries and cream. She didn't know why she was doing this, it just felt like something she had to do. She felt like he hadn't had proper comfort for years. That he hadn't had someone truly in his corner that wasn't there for money or out of fear. She let her eyes trail over his skin, now able to see his long eyelashes and the almost blueish tint that his skin held. "Please...tell me how." Her right hand dropped from his face to cover the hand that still held the paintings. She wanted that man back, the one with a light in his eyes. A light that came from laughter, hope, love, joy....not pain and fire. She moved her left hand ever so slightly that his fingers could link with hers if he so wished. Melia couldn't stop the small smile that passed her lips as she watched him. She had never gotten this close to him willingly and it felt strangely familiar.

[Dark Pigeon]

He felt like he was to break down right on front of her, that the tears that were to stain his robes would be his own. His breasting became heavy, his chest raising up and down dramatically as he tried to keep those tears from falling down. He had to be strong, he could not show any weakness. If he did, they would come for him, they would take his life and his change to make right what had been done wrong to him. As he felt her forehead resting against his, he let out a soft cry before whispering "I don't know.. please.. safe me.. I am s...so tired" He told her as he let their fingers interlink. He let out a deep shaky breath, feeling her so close.. her telling him that she wanted to help. Such comfort he had not felt ever since his wife had been taken from him. All he had done was grow in his anger, festering in it as he grew more violent over the years. But all it did was making him weaker, he grew tired, his fear grew as did his paranoia. Even if he wanted to do this all differently, he just did not know how.

He looked at their fingers, how his blueish cold fingers that were so cold were interlinked with her soft warm fingers. He brushed his thumb over the back of her hand, thinking as he tried to not sob like a child (or so he believed, it is very manly to cry people! No fucking shame in it!) as he did not want to show her that he was some weak ass baby. But even he could no longer hold it, some tears started to roll over his cheeks, his eyes still on their hands. "I.. " he took in a deep breath as he felt that he just wanted to crawl closer to her, to feller hands around him.. her arms. Feel the warmth of her body as they would just sit there while he could finally break down that wall that was crumbling away. He slowly pushed himself off the bed, almost sitting down on Melia as he did so. He rested his head against her still and finally let go.. sobbing, gasping for air, just.. breaking down entirely.

[Scottie]

Melia heard his soft whispers, watching his life form around every word. He didn't know...neither did she. She felt his fingers link with hers and let a small smile grace her lips. "I know.." She let her words brush him as she could see him start to fall apart. His breathing was shaky and his forehead had creased in concern. She watched him snap his eyes open and let herself swim in the green of his eyes. She watched them well up in tears and then silently watched the tears dribble down onto her hand. She kept that small smile on her face, hoping that he wouldn't collapse on her. But he pushed himself off the bed and she shuffled back just in time. Melia felt him rest his head against her and she didn't know what to do. The room was filled with gentle sobs and gasps for air. So she imagined...it was her brother. When he had been told that he was to leave. When he clung to her and asked to stay with her. She wrapped her arms around him tight. Holding him in place, moving gently so he could rest against her comfortably.

"It's okay." She stroked her fingers over his back and then trailed her hand up to his head. Running her fingers through his hair as best as she could. "It's okay." Her words barely a whisper to him. She kept her back straight and let him pull himself closer to her. She grew silent, not thinking her words were helping. So she ran her fingers through his hair, picked up the tears that dribbled down his cheeks and rocked with him against her chest. A minute passed and something trickled into her mind. That song that had been plaguing her every waking moment the last two days. Melia rested her chin against his head and started to hum. It was croaky at first but it slowly drifted into a soft song. She didn't speak, only her hums floated around the room as she rocked with him against her chest. She brushed away tears and brushed his hair back. Melia tried desperately to push the image of her brother from her mind as she held him there.

[Dark Pigeon]

A small hour past in which nothing was said, his sobbing had stopped after 20 minutes or so. He just sat there in silence, thinking of what it was that he needed.. what she could do for him. Lords, he seemed utterly broken and dead tired after his breakdown. He had them, of course he had, but they were always in silence and when he was truly alone. But never before someone else, not with someone he strangely enough felt that he should be more human against.. that he had to show his better side. His forehead was still resting against hers, their fingers still interlinked as the only thing they could hear was each others breathing. "thank you" he said softly, his voice still shaky as he finally looked up at her, their foreheads no longer touching. "P... please keep yourself.. fr.. from telling anyone about this.. If... if they hear that their king is loosing his mind.. they..." he took in a deep breath, she had to understand how important it was for them to think that he was still on top of his game.

He.. knew something, he.. needed something. "be.." he looked up at her, taking a deep breath as what he was to ask of her.. would give her more power than he might not be giving to her. "Be my.. consc... " no he could not. She had no idea what it meant to lead a country, how to win a war. Giving her power over his decision making might destroy everything he had build up. "Come" he told her, crawling back on his feet as he roughly rubbed the remainder of his tears from his eyes. "We were to look at the paintings, we both .. at least I do.. to look upon something that brings peace to ones mind" He told her, holding out his hand so she could get up as well. Yes, he offered to help her, he did not even think about it, he did not even react as she took his hand. He turned around as she stood and held out his hand so his staff came flying up towards him. He needed the little support after what had happened. He carried his body differently, like someone that was about to walk to the gallows. But all that dissapeard as soon as he had opened the door.. for he needed to pretend he was still this powerful being, that he was still the high and mighty king.

[Scottie]

Melia had kept humming, even after he stopped sobbing. She just kept her fingers stroking his back and held him against her chest. When the body had no more tears left,it needs comfort more than anything. She felt him rest his forehead against hers and she kept that small smile on her face. She left his hand interlinked with hers and her humming had slowly faded as his breathing become even. She heard him thank her and that concerned her more than anything. This man had probably never thanked another human being in his life...well at least in the last decade he hadn't. She nodded, "I promise I'll keep it to myself." She knew that even the slightest of whisper of this and his power could crumble. She tilted her head when he seemed to ask her something. Her forehead creased when he asked again and she blinked rapidly when he told her to come.

He crawled back from her and harshly wiped the tears from his cheeks. She did want to look at the paintings. She was already pushing herself up to her knees when he extended his hand for her to take. She looked at it like it was a live snake but noticed how he wasn't moving it back. So she let her hand slip into his and accepted his help to stand. She brushed her dress down and noticed how even with the staff he was walking like a dead man. But that all changed when the door swung open. She blinked rapidly as he seemed to morph back into that king that had demanded either her or her fathers life. So she raised her chin and followed him, closing the door behind her. The paintings were still splattered across the room and she knew that the maids would enter and collect them all. Putting them back onto the bed and even fixing the bed. They had heard sobbing but they knew it would have come from Melia. That she probably was being punished in a silent way. Melia let him lead the way. He needed to keep that front up of power and controlling the masses. So she followed him like a beat dog.

She could still feel his fingers against hers, she could still feel his face against hers. A light pink graced her cheeks and she kept her eyes down on his feet as he led them through corridor after corridor. Each one seemed to lead a different way and the carpet changed gently. Like dust had settled into it, but she knew that wasn't the case. Someone would have been hung for letting dust settle. But the carpet was different. The wall paper was older and she felt like she was entering an old part of the castle. But she followed him silently.

[Dark Pigeon]

He lead her to the oldest parts of the castle. Only the hallways would be cleaned as the rooms would be off limits for anyone. Only the king carried the keys that fitted these locks, nobody but him visit the great amount of treasure that stood behind these doors. "We will be visiting this room, and only this room tonight. Maybe looking upon these pictures will spark something in your mind" He said as he looked over his shoulder to her. They stood for an large wooden door that would open both ways. She did not know, or she might not truly remember. But this was the oldest ballroom that the castle had, it was the smallest.. yes, there was another one and it was a big one. He took the keys from his robes and looked for the right key. He wanted to unlock it but then hesitated before stepping aside and giving her the keys. "You should open it, it was her.. my wife.. that has collected most of these paintings. She loved decorating the hallways with something else but the boring faces of men long dead. She wanted to see woods, sea's, farmers working, she wanted her home town to be painted as high as the walls go, and twice as wide." he said, finding it easier and easier to talk with Melia about who she had been in a past life. But he had to keep himself from comparing them, they were not the same.. and they should not be.

As she opened the doors, dust was the first thing that came flying towards her, then darkness. The windows let no sunlight in, even it there had been any. Salvador softly touched her shoulder so he could step next to her and let go of his staff as it went into the ballroom. What happened next was truly magical, as the staff let go of thousands upon thousands small flacks of light that slowly scattered themselves around the ballroom and up to the richly decorated ceilings. The entire room became visible, and with it the large amount of paintings that stood within the large open space. Not only paintings, but statues, large cabinets, small cabinets, large and smaller chairs and so many other items. Everything that he had cast out of his sight because he could not bare to look at it any longer. Only a few items had been allowed to stay were they always stood.. but most he had kept hidden within this smaller ballroom. " Enter if you will, you are allowed to touch anything you want" He said with a careful smile, hoping that she would enjoy looking upon the wondrous collection that his wife had gathered during their marriage.

[Scottie]

She nodded violently, not caring that this would be their last stop. She knew this place but it wasn't clicking just yet. It was special but she didn't know why. She was nearly bouncing on her heels when he turned back to her. Something about opening the doors. She blinked rapidly and saw him holding the keys up to her. It made sense, why have the grumpy faces of old men when you could have ever inch of this place filled with green grass and the sea and the sky and the trees and everything... She took the keys from him gently and stepped forward. The key was the right one, it was a little rustier than some others but it was the right one. She placed the lock in the door and with a small amount of effort it clicked open. She waited a moment before pushing the doors open. Dust floated to greet her and there was only darkness in the room. Her forehead creased as she hoped this was not some sad joke on her. Melia felt him touch her shoulder and she glanced at him when the staff entered the room.

Her eyes went wide as the whole room filled with light. Her mouth hung open as she padded into the room. It was like the wonder of the library again. Seeing such a massive room filled head to toe with things. She let out a small squeal of excitement and barely heard his words before she was off into the room. Her eyes hungrily sought out every painting, drinking in their colours. Her words floated to him, "Look at the sky...it can be PINK....the grass...it's green...whats that....a DOG....look at this." She was like a child in a toy store. She wasn't touching anything. She felt like she shouldn't, even if he told her that she was allowed to. She scrambled about, getting more and more excited. There was just so much colour, colour that she thought would never be where it was. She came back to him, a massive smile nearly splitting her cheeks. "This place is wonderful. Have you seen? Come on!" She subconsciously took his hand and tugged him a little further into the room. Stopping before a large painting that had been rested on a wardrobe. "Look at it...It's beautiful." It was an old painting of the castle. Back when it sat in a prosperous land. When purple dotted the sky and green filled every open space. She hovered her fingers over a small area and looked back at him. "I think thats where my little house would be...and the Smiths live there....and the market place is here...and Samuel lived there..." She trailed off but kept her fingers hovering over the different places on the map. She dropped her fingers back to her side and flicked her eyes to him. "Why do you keep these hidden?"

[Dark Pigeon]

He stayed at the door, not because he did not want to enter. But because he liked watching Melia darting all over the place like a playful bunny. She loved it, she went from painting to painting telling him how wonderful it was, or how some colors just could not be real. They were, he had told her. Pink happened, and purple, and all the colors in between. Only when she came for him, grabbing his hand so she could tug him around the ballroom with her, he entered. He smiled carefully as he followed her to the large painting of the castle. Dear lord, he had not seen it from this angle in such a long time. And those colors, he missed them.. he truly did. Everything looked magical, everything looked so full of life. He came closer to Melia as she started to tell him where everyone was, or should be. Her house and her family, that of someone called the Smiths, the marketplace. He had been to the marketplace as a boy, sneaking out as he wanted to buy his very own fresh apples. Only so he could be dragged back by the guards, and his father being a little bit angry.. but laughing none the less as little Salvador wanted to pay for apples with some of his toys. Samuel he tilted his head as he heard that name. The way she pronounced it, it sounded like he meant something to her. He would ask, but he thought that it was better for her to speak of these people all on her own when she so wished.

Instead his finger trailed over the painting and stopped somewhere below. "Here.. yes, we are here now" He told her before his finger started trailing over the painting again. "This was my bedroom when I was a child. I could look over the fields from there. I could see the farmers working, the land changing from back to green to yellow as they grew corn. I always loved the yellows, how the wind making the corn move like waves. I would ride my pony's past them.. so many times" He said, not a bit more sadness in his voice as the memories of it were painful. All of it was gone, nothing grew in the fields anymore. He looked at her as she asked him why they were here, why he kept them hidden. "I had hoped that it was pretty clear all on itself" he said as he looked around, all that color.. all that beauty. "They remind me of what once was, and what I can not see to get back. To look at these every single day, for others to see them as well. Remind them of what I have brought upon them... " he looked back at her and glanced back to the painting of his castle. "I just could not bare to look at them every single day. I would rather bring a shroud of darkness into the castle. It.. well... it is not as dark as I make it to seem" he told her as he rubbed the back of his neck.. he.. should he?. He looked up at her "Do you .. think that .. " He frowned. "I mean.." he rubbed his chin "Should I... stop that?"

[Scottie]

She grinned when he pointed out where they were. She could almost see it, that tiny little space on the castle wall. She let him continue, dragging from room to room. Yellow fields...she couldn't picture it. She kept her hand on his, forgetting that it was even there. She blinked rapidly at his answer and snapped her eyes back to the paintings. "But...that beauty...you cannot keep it hidden from the world. Everyone deserves to see it." She said softly as she heard him talk about darkness and then he asked her something. She turned her gaze to him and waited a moment before answering. "Yes." She said bluntly. "The darkness is not needed. It can go back to it's place in the night sky. Not here." She let her free hand gesture to the painting before her. "This is what needs to fill every single corner of this castle. Paintings of life. Paintings of colour and love." She gave him a beaming smile before letting go of his hand and rummaging back through the paintings. "Like this one...and this one....and that one...and that one."

She bounced over every corner of that massive room. Her voice carried to him from wherever she was. "All of these paintings need to go back to their true places. You should not look at them with wistful memories of the past...but hopes for the future." She peered from behind a wardrobe and caught sight of herself in a mirror. She pulled some of her hair back up into the bun it had been crammed into and fixed her dress. She didn't know why she was acting this way, maybe it was this room that filled her with life. Or all the paintings and colours that gave her such hope for the future. Or perhaps it was that seeing a broken side of him made him less monstrous. She gave herself a big smile to check her teeth before returning to where he could see her. "Hopes for the future. Not what once was...but what will be again." Melia returned to standing beside him and pointed to the one by their feet. "And this one should go somewhere that you can see it...every day." She beamed at the painting then back to him. "I feel like this room is full of life...Like I could dance...I used to dance here didn't I." She asked him curiously. "I can remember lights and music...and dancing." Melia thought for a moment before giving him a small curtsy. "Your Majesty...I would adore if you could join me in a dance?" She raised a hand up to him while keeping her eyes on the floor.

[Dark Pigeon]

Easy EASY!!! damn girl, Salvador thought as she dashed off like a hyper little bunny. He was not even getting used to the fact that he might change a thing or.. 1! Not everything!! He watched her as he thought of how to get all that darkness to leave. Should he do it right now, all of it? Or.. gradually let it fade over time. He rolled his eyes and took in a deep breath, already he wanted to stop this idea that he was to change a something. Keeping it dark was easier, he knew the darkness. Having it all leave was something he feared, how would people react, how would he feel as he was to see those walls again in every single room? Nope, nope.. NOPE! He was not doing it, end of the discussion inside his head. He nodded, agreeing with himself as Melia came back towards him, moving more like a kangaroo than anything else. Dear lord, she liked it here! She wanted to hang the paintings on the walls so everyone could see them. And that particular painting that he needed to see every single day. He was already getting tired of the idea letting someone else do it for him.

"Wow.. wow, calm down" he told her as he stepped away from the force of happy energy that came his way. It might be contagious, he might get it as well and start jumping up and down all happy like! No, no no.. not going to happen. He waved his hands into the air and gestured to Melia to stay away from him a little bit more. "You are asking to much, I.. will.. Okay.. you can.. no.. Okay" he took in a shaky breath as he started to panic. "The darkness, I can do that. But the paintings are to stay in this room. They will not leave" he told her, very matter of fact, no discussion possible about it. His anger truly hit the ceiling (and it is a high ceiling) when she asked him to .. dance? "Do not forget your manners" he snarled at her, his eyes burned right through her. She could hear a frightening low rumbling sound as the room grew dark again. The lights died in a flickering manner, and before she knew it she was surrounded by darkness, the only light seeming to coming from his eyes. "You can not possibly remembering dancing, music.. ANY OF IT! Those are her memories and you will do good by ... " He took in a deep breath, again he was showing that nasty side of him.. while she was only trying to make this evening a pleasant one. He had been able to break down before her, and he knew that she knew those memories and that they felt strangely like her own.

Slowly the staff started to cast a light, enough for them to no longer stand in utter darkness. But nothing like there had been before, no small specks of light that danced around the room. He looked down, trying to get his mind from spinning, stopping himself from lashing out at this girl he himself had asked for help, who he asked what to do with that darkness. ".. try to slow down.. please" he asked her before he looked up again, his anger still there but not as powerful as mere seconds ago. "... I can do the darkness.. I can take that away. The paintings will stay here, I can.. can not have them hanging all around. And.. dancing" He looked up at his staff and took in a sharp breath. He did not want to dance, he truly did not want that... but if she did, if she truly did.. maybe he could get himself to take her for a short one.. maybe. "Are.. are you sure that dancing is something you wish to do?"

[Scottie]

Her eyes flicked up as he spoke to her, wishing her to calm down. Too much. It wasn't too much surely. This castle was choking from darkness and deserved to stand in the light again. She pulled herself back up to standing tall and blinked slowly. She tilted her head as he grew angry. Then the light disappeared. It felt like she was being smothered in darkness. She raised her hands out to each side to steady herself, fearing that if she fell she would put her foot through something. His words pierced through her like a sword. When the light flickered back, she looked positively heart broken. He couldn't understand how this felt...could he. To know this room as a place of happiness but see it like this. To know so many things...but they weren't from her life. She wanted to go back to her life, just to being Melia. Not some husk that held something he wanted near. She dragged her eyes back to him and didn't respond to his request. They looked cold, like any attempt of friendliness had been torn from her.

"No. I do not wish to dance." Melia let her eyes slide from his face back to the paintings. She clasped her hands behind her back as she looked at the closest painting. Her eyes focused on the small little piece of land that her family would be. Where her mother would be tucking her sister in for bed. Where her father would be whittling something to try and get a few coin. Where a stew would be bubbling on the stove. Where her bed would be lying cold. She had pushed this a little too far. So she had seen him at his lowest...so what. It meant nothing. He was still angry that she was not her. Melia understood that...and she wanted him to know that she was not his wife. She was Melia Sessile. The woman he stole from her family. Who wanted nothing more than to go back to her house, to forget that she had anothers soul in her. To be just her and not part of someone else. This is the final stop for the night. Thats all she could think about. Soon she would go back to her room, to paint or to sleep. But she could be by herself and not forced to be around a man who snapped from pure sorrow to unbelievable rage. Melia let her eyes drag over the painting, drifting from market place to house after house...or where they should be in her mind. She knew where her brother lived and where the Smiths, Johnstones, Thompsons...etc...etc lived. Her eyes settled on a small patch of land hidden away from the others.

There sat a small shambled house, it was constantly getting repairs. The man of the house had passed when the children were still under 10. The mother tried her hardest to survive but it wasn't always possible. So her eldest went out, he did any chore or task that was needed. Anything to put light in the house and food in their bellies. Two children didn't survive to their 10th birthday. Samuel would pray for their souls every night. Melia let a small smile drift onto her lips as she thought about that house. One day, her brother and her had brought old rags and some old vegetables to them. Melia had stayed there for another hour, mending a few dresses with the needles her mother had given her. She was under strict orders to return with those needles. So Melia stayed until every dress was mended and every blanket was patched. That was the day she first met that gentle giant. She didn't want to think what that house looked like now. Their bread winner lost in battle...no one to offer a hand..not in this world.

[Dark Pigeon]

He frowned silently as she said that she did not want to dance, her hands now behind her back as she did not longer wish to extend them towards them in an attempt to get him to do something with her. She seemed cold, she seemed to hate the fact that he had made this room go dark because he lost his temper. He could get angry again, he had in the past so many times. But she, she had this.. magic over him, making him wish to be a better man. He stood there silently as she stared at the painting again, her eyes glancing down at the small houses that were scattered around the castle. He remembered how it used to be, people smiling and greeting their king and little prince as they went out for a hunt or to just ride their horses. His father, always had time to talk, to make sure that everyone was happy and content. Nobody was poor, nobody had more power than need be. He was the kind of king people dreamed about, as perfect as he could possibly be. Salvador.. he never was like that, and he definitely wasn't like that now.

He knew he needed to show of a bit, win her smile back, get her willing to at least skip around the room to look at all the paintings. He was to make this a pleasant evening, and boy.. did he hate not listening to himself. He gestured towards the staff.. the light dimmed, and those small specks of light started to float around the room towards Melia. They softly lifted up the fabric of her skirt, making it dance around her without lifting up the fabric. She could hear a soft humming. As her eyes were still on the painting she could see that some of the people started to move. The farmer came walking out the barn and called towards the house. A woman popped her head through he window and seemed to answer him. Birds were flying around, the leaves in the trees were dancing in the wind. Every single painting started to move, tree's moving, water flowing, the cloud slowly moving through the blue skies. "Look around you" Salvador softly whispered to Melia as music started to play as it seemed to come from nowhere.


https://youtu.be/Mo_DMGc2v5o

[Scottie]

The grass slowly darkened in colour, her forehead creased at the painting. She dragged her eyes skyward to the staff and saw small specks of light return....and float towards her. She blinked rapidly as they picked up her skirts, making them dance around her. She flicked her eyes to him but before she could speak...the painting beside his head started to move. Her eyes went wide as the man beside him yawned widely and started to tend to the flowers in his garden. She snapped her eyes back to the painting she had been looking at. People started to move, walking to the market. Coming from the houses, opening windows, ploughing fields. Her bottom lip wobbled, half out of fear and sorrow. She heard him speak and then music started. Melia snapped her eyes shut. That stupid song had been stuck in her head for days now and there it was. Echoing around this room, filling up every single inch of space with it's warmth. She swallowed down her tears before glancing at him. There was no smile, nothing. Just tears glistening in her eyes as she turned to head back into the room. Hiding herself behind the cupboards and paintings as the lights followed her.

Every painting was coming alive, women waved at her before continuing to braid their hair. Men happily fished in the brightest of lakes. Children ran around colourful rooms. She stopped before one painting and waited a moment before tracing her steps back to him. She didn't say anything, she just moved over to him and reached out to take his hand. Melia gently tugged him further into the room, climbing over old chairs until they reached a small space behind a wardrobe. She sat down with her back against the wardrobe and tugged him down again. The painting before her was a sunset. Pinks, reds, oranges, yellows flooded the sky it shimmered with life. If he sat beside her, she would rest her head on his shoulder and start to mouth the words to the song that drifted around the space they were in. Small birds floated off in the distance and butterflies danced around the flowers at the bottom of the frame. She raised her hand gently to the painting, gesturing to the birds. "This is where I would want to fly to." She dropped her hand back to her lap and watched the sun slowly fade from the sky as she started to sing the words of the song.

[Dark Pigeon]

He felt her warm fingers interlink with his, he had done something well.. and that made him feel proud of himself. He had made it a little bit right, she had not run off or told him to leave. Instead she wanted him to come with her, for both to go somewhere in this room where she wished to go. He followed and said nothing as he himself was entertained by few of the moving paintings himself. This was a child's trick to be honest, something that young children were taught as the teachers wanted them to have some fun with magic. He watched her as he followed her up those stairs, she seemed happier than she had been before.. but was she? He looked at his own feet as he walked upstairs, always fearing that he would trip and fall if he did not do so.

As he sat down, and felt her head leaning against him he felt his entire body tense up. He had.. not been with someone like this before. She.. she wanted to rest her head against him? WHY! He felt so very much the same as the first time he had held his wives hand, afraid that he would do anything that would chase her away. His eyes slowly moved over to the painting before them.. a sunset.. dear me... they were that beautiful? He was absolutely mesmerized by it, he had seen them before, but he had forgotten how beautiful it really was. He looked down at Melia as she told him that she wanted to fly to that place, he nodded.. he agreed.. he wanted to go there as well. He wanted to join her and never return if that was at all possible. "I love this song. My wife and I... we danced on this the very first time. I wanted to ask her to the ball but she went with Rhett Lumbermann. Of course she went with him, he was very popular, and she was one of the prettiest girls at school. But at the end of the night, she caught him kissing Renate Bluebells.. She was heartbroken, but all her friends were either kissing their boyfriends.. or sick after drinking from the spiked drinks they had brought into the castle... I.. I set with her as she cried, held out my hand to her to take. She first told me to... fuck off.. that she did not wanted to be seen with the freak of the school" He smiled, why he smiled.. it had been horrible to hear her say that. But he was the freak, even the unpopular kids hated him. Why he had gone to the ball he did not know, maybe secretly hoping she would look at him and smile, gods.. he would do everything to see her smile and look at him. "She.. I did leave, I offered some water while I looked at the ground. Gave her a handkerchief to dry her tears as she for the very first time sat alone. She.. gods.. she always was surrounded by so many people, every single person she came in contact with absolutely adored her." he rested his head against Melia and smiled as he watched the crows in the painting playing in the wind, just a few tricks before they would turn to their nests to sleep. "She took the water, she dried her tears.. we spoke for the very first time.. I.. made her laugh. When this song played, we both said we loved it at the very same moment.. we laughed, and she asked me if I wanted to dance"

[Scottie]

She could feel him tense up but she would not move her head. It felt right to do so and she was growing sleepier with every passing second. She lost herself in the reds and yellows and oranges. Letting them sink into her skin as the sun dipped beneath the trees. As soon as the sun disappeared, it would reappear at the top of the painting. She let him speak and a small smile graced her lips. Rhett Lumbermann. That name struck a chord, she could almost picture him. Beautiful blonde hair with sparkling blue eyes. Renate Bluebells. What a bitch. She even mouthed that remark when he told her the story of their first dance. She felt him rest his head against hers and she let her hand find his. Linking her fingers with his. "I remember that handkerchief...It had a gold border and your initials on it." She let her words softly tumble from her lips. "I...Is that why you didn't want to dance with me?" She asked him as the sky turned a beautiful shade of pink. "I am sorry that I am not her."

Her words were quiet and she felt sadness well up in her chest. "I am trying to stop them...those little memories. Of dancing in here... of songs...or how you would have nearly fell that first dance..if it hadn't been for her hand holding on tight to you." She couldn't stop the words from escaping her lips. "But I have my own little memories...they just keep getting jumbled now..I thought I loved dancing..but I've never danced in my life..I thought I loved the colour purple...but blue has always been my favourite. I can't stop them from crossing paths. I'm sorry." She kept her hand on his, rubbing her thumb against the back of his hand. "I'll try harder. To keep her words out of my mouth and her memories away from you." Melia watched the sun fade again and smiled when it reappeared again. Sunset was her favourite time of day. She let her free hand raise up to dance over the colours of the sky. "This was always my favourite time of day. When the sun was fading from the sky. When night was on its way. It was in that hour or two that I had time to myself. To do whatever I wanted before the moon came out."

[Dark Pigeon]

He kept his eyes on the painting before them, watching the sun set over and over again. He smiled carefully as she described that handkerchief. She had first stated that he was bragging with his wealth again, gold on a handkerchief.. what a show off. But all that changed when that song started playing, when they both found that they had something in common.. and from there a friendship would slowly start to build. He brushed his hand over hers, his smile fading as she told him she could never be his wife... the woman who had been killed. "You do not need to be her. I know you are not, and that you never will be." he took her hand in his and gently held it in his as he watched the sun popping up again, it was rather comical to see the sun popping up again and again after it had set, only so it could repeat itself over and over again until Salvador stopped the magic that made the paintings move. "I.. would love to hear some of them.. and, to hear about your very own memories as well." he told her, hoping that she would start sharing more about her own past.. the past of Melia.. and not Helena.

"I want to know more about you, I want to know what life is behind these city walls. I do not wish to longer hide from it, but .. man up.. as they say. I should be a king, and not a tyrant." Gods.. what was he saying! He could not do those things. He could not pretend to be a better king, just.. change all of the sudden because of some girl? He had a war to win, and he had been so very used in handling this the way he always been. But he was slowly starting to loose, little bits of his country were taken from him. But worst of all, they were sucking the life out of the very ground itself. Making it impossible for food to grow, so that Salvador's people would slowly starve to death, or turn against their king. One way or the other, he would loose.. it being the hard way, or the easy way.

[Scottie]

Her shoulders dropped when he told her that she didn't need to be her. It had been a horrible weight on her shoulders and it faded slowly when his fingers linked with her. Her nose wrinkled as he said that he wanted to hear her memories. She shook her head softly. Hearing stories of what happens behind those city walls....would not end well. Melia didn't want to agree with him...but he was being a tyrant. Everyone in that village feared him and didn't worship him. Melia watched the sun disappear again, "I do not think my memories will be the stories you wish to hear." Her eyes flicked to the butterflies by the edge of the frame. How they fluttered in and out of view. "I have few pleasant memories." Her words trailed off as she lost herself in the blues, reds and golds of the small creatures. "I can remember my father coming home empty handed every day. My sister waking up in pain from her leg. My brother having one too many run ins with the guards...My brother leaving..." She moved her head from his shoulder and kept her eyes on the painting.

"They are not happy memories." Melia's gaze burned through the red butterfly as it danced through the sky. There had been a red butterfly that day. It had danced past their heads and into the forest. It had left the blood and screams behind. Melia could do so little and the panic that had drifted up to her throat was suffocating. She couldn't mend bones, she couldn't mend tissue. She couldn't do anything. She had only been 17...and she was useless. She was just as useless when Sammy was taken from them. When he was dragged away and her outburst had her pushed through the ground. She wriggled her fingers from his hand and stared at the painting. Her smile had drifted from her lips and she was lost elsewhere. "I was 19. He was only 14 summers old." Her eyes glazed over as she spoke to him. "I had watched it happen before. The Simpson girl was taken when she was 12....and the Fredericks boy was taken when he was 8...Even Samuel's sister....but not my family. It wasn't meant to happen to my family." She dragged her hand back to her lap. "Ma didn't sleep...Even refused to eat at one point...I nearly lost my mother as well as my brother." Melia blinked back to reality and put her hands down beside her. She pushed herself to standing and brushed the dust from her dress. She didn't look at him as she wandered away, heading back to that door...to wait there until he allowed her to go.

[Dark Pigeon]

Salvador watched Melia as she rose to her feet, dusted her skirts, and then left. He was surprised to see this happen, had he not been here to listen to her talk to him? Telling him sad stories about her life, telling him what life was like behind those walls. He... knew nothing to be honest about the life behind the wall. He did not care, he had never cared! So he let others deal with the problems where life was hard, where people were dying. Now, he wanted to hear it from Melia. She had lived there, she would not lie to him about the problems that people in the grey dusty landscape faced every single day. "What.. do you mean.. taken? Did.. Did they die?" He asked her as he got on his feet and followed her back to the dancefloor. She did not stop, she did not even answer.. she just, kept walking until she was at the door, waiting for him. He rose his head up high and took his staff when he passed it. The small lights were still dancing, following the staff as it was slowly starting to leave the small ballroom. "They, did not die did they?" He asked her as he stood only a few feet away from her as she still stood at the door.

Now, he knew that people were taken out of the village to work at the castle. It was not particularly easy finding someone that wanted to work there, they feared their king that much. Yes it brought food on the table, but they also knew that many died there.. you could not earn money when dead. But one thing though, he never would allowed children to be taken, nobody under the age of 15 was to be forced to leave its parents. After that though, boys were men and would be trained to go to war. or when they were lucky, work at the castle. Girls learned to mend wounds and send off, or when lucky they also were to work at the castle. "I, never allow children to be taken. You must be mistaken that they were forced to leave their houses at such a young age. I.. know I am quite the monstrous king.. I tyrant if you wil. But even I will not allow such things to happen." He tried to look her in her eyes, wanting her to believe that he would not do such things.

[Scottie]

Melia dropped her eyes to her feet and clasped her hands behind her back. "They didn't die...." She trailed off and stopped herself from thinking about that. She didn't want to think that her brother was dead. She watched his feet come closer to her but kept her eyes on the ground. "Children were taken." She said bluntly though her voice was quiet. "My brother was taken when he was 14. We have a doorway in the house...it has little marks in it that we make each birthday. Like little scars on the wooden frame. Sammy only got 14...Ma could never get herself to do another. He was taken two months before his 15th birthday." It was like it was yesterday, he had been picked up by a guard because he kept digging his heels in. Her father couldn't stop them, her elder brother had tried and Melia had been pushed down when she clambered onto one of their backs. It was her first real interaction with those from inside the castle. It wouldn't be the last time that she was pushed to the dirt by a guard. Not always out of anger...sometimes out of their blunt lust.


Melia shook her head softly. "I'm sorry Sire. But I fear that your guards have been changing the rules just a little." She didn't really believe him, there was no way that he didn't know. "Samuel's sister was taken when she was 13. As long as they looked old enough...they are taken...I was meant to be taken..not him." She let out a long sigh as she thought about that as well. "But I was...a hassle to even get out the house. I broke fingers and created a scene, so...they went for Sammy." Her mother couldn't even look at her properly for a full month. She had been 19 and she should have gone with them. But she knew that girls that entered that place never returned. The stories that followed them were horrifying. Stories of an evil king forcing himself on young girls or tearing their mistakes out their skin. "I think it has been a rather long night Sir." Melia kept her eyes on the ground, staring at his shoes instead of him. No matter how much he tried to get her to look up, she kept her eyes on the ground. "Perhaps it would be best to call it a night Sir."

[Dark Pigeon]

He had let her go, telling her that it was indeed getting late and that both of them needed to get to bed. They had silently walked back to her room. Salvador's mind was raising, yes he knew that sometimes someone younger was brought into the castle. But never that young.. that was something he did not want to hear, and boy... heads would be rolling because of that! As they reached Melia's room he left her after wishing her a good night. He had walked back to his own room all on his own. He knew he would not be able to sleep, but then again. He had not been able to sleep peacefully for decades., He spend most of the night thinking and writing as he knew that the very next day he would be talking to his counselman.

... Next Morning...

Knocking on her door, and again, and again until Melia made some kind of noise that could be seen as permission for the person on the other end of the door to enter. "What have you done!!!" Vermin said as he peaked around the door as maids walked in. The maids seemed nervous, but in a good way. As if the thing that Vermin was asking about was something good, something pleasant. He was not allowed in though, the maids had made that clear to Vermin. At least not until Melia would be dressed properly and had her breakfast. "Dear... what.. how!!" He asked her as he gestured towards the hallway that was no longer shrouded in darkness any longer. It looked like a very normal hallway, it was still a bit dark but that was because the sun was not showing herself on this rather rainy day. "Get her ready, he asked for her. You call me when she ready. Then I bring her to him" Vermin told the maids. They both nodded "We will, now.. get out so we can get her dressed Ver" the eldest of the maids said as the younger one was already picking out a dress from the still growing wardrobe that was Melia's. He nodded, the small imp seemed incredibly nervous.. but then again.. he always did. He slowly closed the door behind him, Melia could hear him talk to some guards that just walked by "I know right! Never knew they were ivory.. I thought that they were Anthracite.!" before his high pitched voice slowly drifted away as he kept talking to the two men.

"Now.. I don't know what you did. But it worked.. and we are all very happy about it" The oldest maid said as she started to tug the blankets from Melia. "You see what we are talking about in a moment. It truly is a miracle if you ask me, don't you agree Jane?" Jane, the youngest nodded and smiled "it truly is. I hope it stays this way! I truly love the colors... the ceilings.. they are decorated.. who knew?!" Jane said happy as she picked out the most colorful dress he could find. It was a lovely soft pink with off white details and small embroidery flower on the bodice of the dress. "Good choice" the older girl said as she gestured for Melia to get out. "We leave your hear.. yes.. down. A soft braid.. " the eldest said as she smiled at the idea "Yes, I like that.. with a few curls" Jane said happily as she softly started to whistle.

[Scottie]

She spent a good hour of her night painting. No longer a man with green eyes or a boy with red curls. But her family. Her fathers soft smile, her mothers eyes, her older brothers smirk, her sisters face when she snorted as she laughed...and Sammy. She drew Sammy over and over again. She was so angry that the first drawing of him was wrong, that she redid it again and again until it was perfect. She crawled into the bed with her make shift comfort, a pillow wrapped in a sheet. She was used to sleeping beside her sister, so she curled around it and buried her face in her pillow.

... Next Morning...

Melia murmured as a reply to the knock before burying herself deep under the covers again. She heard a squeak of a voice, what have you done. Her forehead creased as she sleepily responded. "I...I've done nothing" Melia was mighty confused, she could hear Vermin panicking and she heard him talk about i....ivory? She peered out from under the covers. "W..what has worked?" She asked the oldest maid while still trying to cling to her covers. They were harshly pulled back as the younger one was flicking through the wardrobe. "Colours?" She asked the women as they talked to themselves. Jane giggled as she tempted Melia out of the bed. "It's beautiful really." Melia was still incredibly confused but the women dumped her into a bath and started to scrub her skin. Her hair was left as it had been washed the day before and the curls were still bouncy and fresh. Jane quickly explained in between scrubbing her arms that the colour had returned. Melia was still clueless so the older woman tried her best to explain it. "The darkness has gone from the corridors." Melia raised her eyebrows in shock.

"Really?" Jane nodded violently as she helped the woman from her bath. "Really Really!! I didn't even know the ceiling was red. I thought it was black." Melia was soon lost in her thoughts as they pulled her into that beautiful dress. It didn't clash with her skin tone or her hair as she had thought it would. In fact, it looked rather lovely. Her hair was braided with a few curls left to hang around her face. Melia was rather pleased with her appearance in the mirror. It was one of the few dresses that the bastard tailor hadn't got round to making as tiny as possible. So it fit her beautifully, it hugged her chest and her hips without being too baggy around her midriff. It was beautiful. She thanked the women as the eldest hollered for Vermin. The small imp scrambled out of nowhere to the room and made her do a small spin. "Very nice." He said with a big smile as he scratched his head. "Come come. You late." He said shuffling along the corridor. Melia's smile dropped when she saw the corridor, the wallpaper was a dark green, the carpet wasn't black. She could see every detail now, it was like someone had switched on the lights. Vermin took a hold of her hand and tugged her along. Trying to get her to hurry up, she faltered at first but with his cries of impatience she rushed along with him. He stopped her before a massive door to the throne room and fixed her skirt gently before knocking the door. He waited for the response needed and then push the doors open to let her wander in.

[Dark Pigeon]

While Melia was to be shocked by the amount of color and detail in the Throne room, both maids that had helped her only moments ago walked past her. They joined the other servants that stood there, every single one. Including those that worked outside with the animals, worked the gardens, or those who kept the castle in the state that ti was now. They would have their eyes on the floor, but even they were completely hypnotized with the amount of colors, the wonderful woodwork, and wall paintings that decorated the entire space. The Throne, it had seemed like a monstrous thing, but now.. it was so very beautiful and rather inviting. They had always thought this to be the most frightening space in the castle, but now.. it was becoming that favorite rather quickly. All of them wanted to look around the castle some more, trying to see as much of it possible before it would disappear. The first ones to notice Melia enter had been Benjamin, he glared at her and turned his look away and gently whispered to Becky who stood right next to him what was happening. The woman smiled hearing that Melia had entered, something that did not sit well with Benjamin obviously. Goat looked up as well and carefully waved towards Melia while her father was not looking.

On the other side were each and every single member of Salvador's counsel. Most of them were elder men who seemed more nervous than the servants did. They knew what was to happen, and they knew that they were in far more trouble than the servants.. this was a big change, as they always had been on the good side of their king. One especially was nearly shaking in his boots. He was the head of the house, he made sure that servants did their work and that new ones would come when needed. He had turned pale and had not been able to take in a normal breath ever since he had heard what his king had planned. Every single member of the Counsel turned their eyes to Melia as she walked in, dear lord.. of looks could kill! They were everything but pleased to see Melia there, they knew what she had done! And they knew that she was very quickly getting more and more power and control in the castle. To them she truly was a danger, and they wanted to get rid of it.

Only after Melia had entered, so did Salvador. He did not wear the black he had been wearing before. He wore a lovely green, gold and dark brown robe that - like all his robes- was build up out of many different layers. His hair was in a low ponytail and he seemed to enjoy the color as much as the others were. He had never thought he would, he thought he liked the darkness.. but now, it was like he had moved to a far larger castle.. and he liked this castle far more! The Servants had become quiet, their eyes on the beautiful floor right under their feet. Salvador ignored his counselman as he walked past them and went straight for his servants. "It came to my attention, that some of you may, or may not.. have been brought into my castle in a manor that I am not pleased with." He looked over his shoulder as he said that. The counsel member that had been pale before, nearly fainted when he saw that look in his kings eyes. Salvador looked back at the servants and tried to sound pleasant and friendly.. but he needed to spend more time perfecting his ability to do so. "I want to hear from you your full name, age, where you are from, task within the castle, when you were brought here, and how long you have been working here, and as last. " he looked over his shoulder again to his counsel man that was now violently shaking "If you are being paid or not"

[Scottie]

Her eyes were hungrily searching out every colour when they landed on familiar faces. Those from the stables, those from her room...and those from the kitchen. The room slowly lost it's newness when she saw Becky and her family. When she received a glare from Benjamin and saw Becky smile. It nearly made her burst into tears...or run back into the corridor. She snapped her eyes away, her eyes welling up with tears. Melia was already confused by the presence of the servants...but there were others there as well. She did not recognise a single face. They all looked older, they all looked rather important. When she had entered, they had all snuck glances her way before returning their eyes to the ground. She could see the anger and fear on their faces and she felt her stomach hit her feet. Something was going to happen this day. Someone was doing to die. Blood would be spilled. One person in this room....was a dead man walking. Melia hoped like hell it wasn't her.

She heard a door open and in came the man of the hour. She kept her chin up and watched him wander in. He was wearing colour, it made her second guess any of the other outfits he had worn. Had they all been black or was it a trick her eyes played on her mind. The silence was eating away at her, not a single person moved or made a noise. She watched them tense up as he came over to them, addressing them all at once. Melia was certain that this had never happened before or if it did...it never ended well. Some had been brought here in a manor he was not pleased with. Melia blinked rapidly, not really sure why she was here. Was he going to turn around and tell her that she had been dragged to his castle like they had. Would she get to go home? She kept her harsh laugh inside as she thought about how stupid that idea was. Melia heard the request and then her eyes went wide. Paid. She didn't think they would be paid at all. They all stayed still as Salvador went to his throne. Only when he settled did the first person come forward. The man was old, easily in his 60s and from what Melia could guess he was rather looked up to. The others let their eyes follow the man as he took off his hat and bowed low for the king.

"Thomas Derek, Sire. I am 62 years of age. I was born in the village of Fishborne. I work with anything wood related. I make the furniture or I fix it. I have worked here since I was 20 years of age. I am being paid Sire." The man said his eyes never once meet Salvadors. He bowed deeply before returning to his space in the queue. Next was a young maid, one who had helped Melia once. They went down the queue it seemed. Starting from the person closest to Melia who had been Thomas. "Samantha Stowly, Sire. I am 33 years of age. I was born in the castle, I am first born daughter of Thomas Derek. I work with the linen and the housekeeping. I have worked here my entire life. I am being paid Sire." The woman returned and Melia watched them all carefully, she strained to see all the people as there was a large amount of staff. The next was a young boy, easily younger than Melia. He was given a small push forward. His eyes were on the ground as he stammered out. "James Taffie, Sire. I...I am 17 years of age. I am from the village of Stook. I work with the horses. I came here when I was 13 years of age. I..I am not being paid Sire." The boy gave a brief glance up to the men standing beside Salvador before bowing deeply and shuffling back to his position. The next woman looked about Melia's age...or she would have if she didn't have that steely look on her face.

"Tamara Joyce, Sire. I am 23 years of age. I was born in the village of Crookstone." Melia blinked rapidly as she watched the woman, she was from her village. She was her age. Tamara. The name did not click with her. "I work with the linen and whatever his majesty request. I was brought here when I was 12 years of age. I have not been paid since my 20th year." The woman bowed before returning to her place in the huddle. Melia let her eyes follow the woman and dragged her eyes down the line of people. Another man went up to give his small speech but Melia was focused on a young man who stood in the line. He looked about 18...maybe 19. His eyes were staring dead ahead but she knew that nose. She knew that sandy brown hair and she was fixated on him....on her brother.

[Dark Pigeon]

Salvador thanked each and every person who came forward to introduce themselves, and stating what they did, when they came here, and if they were paid or not. He made a mental note of each and every single person that came forward. Each and every single time he heard that someone came her to young, or was not paid he frowned. A frown that did not make the servants nervous, but a few of his counsel men as they had been living a very luxurious life in the presents of their king. "I am Wendy Willington sir, 36 years old, I am from the town of Fishborne, I work in the kitchen, came here on my own free will when I was 22 years old, I have not been paid since I turned 30 sir" the next woman said, she was a small thing with long red curly hair. She stepped back and made way for the next person in like. "My name is Nick sir, no surname. I work the fields inside the castle walls, Born and raised in the castle sir, never been paid for a day in my life" A young man said, he seemed a bit cocky, not all that afraid of the king that seemed to be interested in the people who worked in his castle. He saw that frown in Salvador's face, and as he saw that the counsel men grew more and more nervous.. he knew that his own life was not at stake for ones.. but one of those fat pigs.

They slowly went down the line, it became clear that some were paid and some not. Only 1/5 of all the staff had been born here, a great deal had been taken to the castle of which half was easily to young to start with. Salvador was absolutely not pleased to hear it, and as he listened and thanked each and every single member of staff personally, his eyes were already burning in anger as he knew that his counselmen had been telling him lies.. and boy, did he hate being lied to. Next was Benjamin, the fierce cook "Benjamin Mercier, 57 years old, come from the town off Louth, came here when I was 22 out of free will, needed a job you see, came here with my wife Sara and daughter L..." He frowned, he nearly made that damn mistake "... Goat... I am the head chef sir, baking and cooking my entire life now. I am being paid regularly..but there are times that I am not" Benjamin said respectfully, it being the first time for Melia she did not hear the man curse every two words. Seemed that he was indeed able to talk without cursing after all. He stepped back and gently took the small boy from Becky's arms before the woman could step forward "Becky Mercier-Smith sir, 51 years of age, come from the Town of Croockstone, taken to the castle when I was but 10 years old sir. Been working to clean first, then linnen, and now in the kitchen alongside by darling husband Benjamin Mercier. My.. 1 year old Son Thomas is born in the castle sir" She said as she gestured behind her, towards her husband that held a small boy. "I been paid since I got married sir, not beforehand though.." She said with her head hanging low as she was not able to look at her king anymore. Goat stepped forward to help Becky back in line, but when she stepped forward to let Salvador know who she was.. she stopped and found herself unable to do so. She held her head low, shaking like a leaf as she let out a single bleat. "Ah.. yes.. goat" Salvador said as his fingers were tapping in the armrest of his chair. He was in a hellish state right now, able to kill an entire town full of people as he kept hearing these peoples stories. No wonder people did not want to come and work here, how could he trust those who were kidnapped or never been paid! "Come up here" He told her, his hand lazily gesturing for Goat to come closer. The girl was shaking all over, thinking that her life was to end when she would finally reach her king.

Once up there, after a 5 second walk that seemed like hours she stood nearly toe to toe with her king. He looked at her and slowly got on his feet. "Five years is has been, am I correct?" The girl nodded, tears stinging in her eyes as she did. He looked over at Melia who still stood there, not knowing what the fuck was going on. "Very well then" Salvador said as he grabbed her by her wrist with is right hand, and placed his left hand harshly against her chest. The girl let out a painful cry as she buckled over, her hands on his shoulders as she tried to push herself away from him. Salvador seemed to pull, the cries of a goat now was being accompanied by those of a young woman. Benjamin looked away, Becky was crying as she did not know what was going on. Nobody down the Throne could, they just saw Salvador and Goat struggling before four little hooves hit the floor.. and a small balck Bill- goat with long horns started to run down the stairs. Goat herself still stood there with Salvador, she quickly stepped back and watched her pet goat running around the throne room all exited like. The girl looked up at the king and seemed utterly surprised by what he had done. "Now, back in line and tell me who you are.. Luna" He said to her as he sat back is throne "but be warned.. if he starts nibbling at any of my linnen again, I make you look like the damn beast as well.. am I clear?" The girl nodded "Y.. yes sire" She said, her smile growing as she walked down those stairs as she looked at her father. Ones down she turned around with a smile that could light up a room. "My name is Luna Mercier sire, 24 years of age. Came with my father Benjamin Mercier, and my mother Sarah Mercier to the castle sir. Been working here nearly all my life, as a kitchen hand sir. I never been paid" She told him.. happily. When she was done she got back in line, smiling up at her father as he held he small billy goat by the horns..

[Scottie]

It took Melia another few people to drag her eyes away from her brother. Wendy. Take when she was 22 and not paid for the last 6 years. She flicked her eyes up to Salvador and saw the frown deepen on his face. If she had not seen what he could do...and if she had not seen him at his weakest then she would have been terrified. There were so many that had been born in the castle. That knew nothing of the outside world. Her eyes were soon lost on the men who stood beside Salvador. How they shook in their boots and for once in their grimy little lives...those beneath them held the power. Benjamin was the next that she snapped her eyes to. He had come here of his own free will. Wife...Sara. Melia frowned and was even more confused by the name he attempted to call his daughter. Melia's frown soon drifted from her face when Becky moved forward....She came from the same town as her.

She couldn't help herself, she stepped forward just one step. The woman had been taken when she was 10. She watched the woman move back and then goat came forward. The bleat still shocked her. When he told her to come closer, Melia moved another step forward. No. Not Goat. The girl did not deserve whatever he was going to do to her. Would he tear her tongue out...what. FIVE YEARS. Melia watched them carefully, her eyes wide with fear. She glanced at Benjamin who seemed to not be breathing. He was watching his daughter like a hawk. Melia returned her gaze back when he grabbed her wrist and then hit her chest. "N...no." Melia let the first words slip from her mouth as she took another few steps back. The painful cries were echoing around her mind, she didn't even notice that they changed. A goat.....a goat appeared. It scampered past her and ran around the room. Melia watched it in shock, what just happened. LUNA. Melia had her mouth open in shock as the woman returned to the centre of the room. She spoke. SHE SPOKE. Melia took a small step back as the woman spoke. She was close to her age. Melia watched the woman return to her place in the line and felt lost for words.

A young woman went up next. And then another...and another. But Melia was too busy staring at that gosh darn goat. It had been...inside her...What? WHAT. It just didn't make sense. Not one bit. Her eyes remained there until she heard a familiar voice. "Sammy Sessile, Sire." Melia snapped her eyes back to the man before her, she could only see his back but it was him. His voice was deeper and he was taller but it was her brother. Tears prickled at her eyes. "I am 19 years of age. I am from the town of Crookstone. I help with the woodwork in the castle. I was brought here when I was 14 and I have never been paid." The man bowed his head and moved back to his point in the line, he limped as he walked but other than that...Melia thought he looked perfect. Melia watched him as another man came up to say his piece. Sammy didn't look around, he kept his eyes fixed on the head before him. It was only when another man went up that he allowed him to flick his eyes to her. Melia's smile disappeared in a second. A gnarled scar trailed from his forehead to his cheek and from what she could see...his left eye was closed. Shock flooded her features...before quickly being replaced with anger.

[Dark Pigeon]

Salvador looked over at Melia when he heard the name Sessile, and the town he hailed from. This could only mean that he was Melia's lost brother. But he was to say nothing about it, he was not to decide that Sammy was to know that his sister was now here with Salvador. If she wanted to be reunited with her brother than she would ask for it herself, otherwise.. nothing would change and he would be none the wiser. The entire thing went on for about an small hour overal, each and every single servant got to introduce themselves and tell their king their personal story. Some told him more, a few even dared asking questions that Salvador calmly answered truthfully. Others barely could tell him what he wanted to hear, fearing that he would burst out into anger towards them. And lets not forget, some of them did not know that a goat was stuck inside Goat.. who knew right? Who knew!

Most upsetting, and rather aggravating for Salvador was to see that the newest additions of his staff had been here for only a couple of weeks, and each and every single one of them was younger than 15 years old. The oldest was to turn 12 next week, the youngest was barely 7 years of age. All of them were taken from their family's against their wills, and each and every single one of them were trained by the same person who was responsible for the servants.. not slaves!! The house of Domènech had not held slaves for several generations, and even Salvador was not planning on doing so. Yes, he let people been taken against their will. But they were paid, so.. there as a difference you see.

He looked down at all of them, each and every single servant that stood before him after they had shared their stories. "Those who have not been paid, will receive payment from this day forward as will be every one else. It will be a fair pay for the job you have. Payment will be done weekly, and can be send to your families if needed. For the days you have not been paid" He looked over at the responsible party and gestured him to step forward. "This man will make sure that you will receive what he's guilty.. from his own.. damn.. pockets." Salvador snarled at the man who was nearly wetting himself in utter fear. "If he can not pay, than he will be stripped from all his riches, all his worldly goods down to his clothes, down to his flesh, down to his very soul." Salvador stated as he looked back at his servants, if it was the most normal thing to do. Some servants nodded, a few even seemed angry enough to take the mans flesh right there and then. They had grown to hate the responsible party, they hated him with all their might, and for the first time in their lives they got permission to take everything he owned from him.. and they were very eager to do so. "For those who have been taken against their will before the age of 15, you have the choice to stay or leave. If you stay you will be paid, and contribute for your country and families. You will have a job. If you leave, you will be paid for the days worked, and can leave without any shame being brought to your families or your soul" He said calmly. Some of them wanted to leave, but those were mostly the young children that stood their without their families. Most wanted to stay, knowing that they had a paid job now, a roof over their heads, and food right every single evening. Money could be send to their families, it was a way to survive, and they were not going to let go of it. It was far better than what was waiting for them on the other side of those walls. The children standing there did not know what to do, they could work and provide for their families. But most just wanted to go to their father and mother. Salvador looked down at them and took in a deep breath. "you are free to go back to your fathers and mothers children. There will be no more soldiers, no more monsters taking you, or anyone else from your families ever again. Not as long as I am to sit on this Throne as your king. If you are to return out of free will in the future to this castle, a job will be provided for you. If you wish to stay than you are welcome."

[Scottie]

Melia's hands curled into fists and she wanted to leave. She wanted to go back to her room now. She hated that he had to do this before her. Like he was trying to show that he had changed. She knew exactly what he was doing but she was pissed as hell. How on earth did he not know. A SEVEN YEAR OLD worked within the castle and it never clicked. Of course not, he cared little for anyone excluding himself. She let him start his little speech but her hands remained curled into fists. Payment would be made. Everyone would be paid equally and Melia could feel the tension in many of the servants relax. Many had families outside the castle that needed the coin. They were dying without it. But to hear where it would be coming from. She snapped her eyes to the man who would be paying...with his flesh. Allowing them to leave...her eyes flicked to Sammy. A few of the younger people nodded almost violently. They missed their families like nothing else. The younger children were still afraid of what it meant to leave. She heard him speak to them in kindness and a few of younger ones, especially the seven year old nodded and let their eyes drop to the floor.

Melia watched her brother carefully, he hadn't nodded. Seeing her here and hearing the rumours about their father...they needed the coin more than anything. He knew about their sister and the struggles of her father getting a job. So he would stay. He did not mind his job, Thomas was kind but stern. He was learning more than he ever would outside the city walls. But he wanted to see his mother again, to see his family. To give the peace of mind but he didn't think it possible. Melia gave him a shaky smile and he returned it before dropping his eyes to the ground. Melia waited as those who wanted to leave stepped forward, the majority were young. Wanting to return home to their families. Melia let her own eyes drop to her feet as they shuffled waiting for his next request.

[Dark Pigeon]

Salvador felt rather proud of himself, he had done something good! He was a Saint, he was a god, he was the best damn thing in the fucking world! His father would be proud, hell.. he be asking how such a wonderful thing had ever come across his mind?! He had given his Servants a voice, and money, and he was to punish someone that he found that was responsible for all of it. He looked up at Melia, expecting her to look at him with big eyes, all teared up and proud! She was properly waiting to tell him how good he did, how wonderful he was.. hell.. she be dropping her panties through the floor by now!! But.... none of that, if anything she looked angry. This surprised him, he tilted his head and looked back at his Servants who all followed his gaze before snapping their eyes to the ground. Even Sammy had looked, not recognizing his sister right away. "Well... Melia, please come forth?" He asked her, still a bit taken aback by her anger.. he was the angry one over here.. not her! "Tell them how you brought this to my attention. You owe her your gratitude" he said to the servants who all looked up slightly as they did not know what he was asking of them. "KNEEL AND THANK HER!!" He roared to them, his hands turning into fists. Dear lord, it was like he needed to train these monkeys all on his own!. Every single servant fell down on his and her knees, and simultaneously thanked Melia for what she had done.

Only when Salvador was content with what they had done they were allowed to stand up again. He gestured to a few guards to come to him and waited a bit impatiently until they were there. "Bring the children back to their houses, make sure that they are to bring enough grain for 4 loaves of bread, twice a quarter wheel of cheese, 3 chickens, a dozen eggs, and two jugs of milk each, a dozen fresh apples, and a single goat" he told the guards as he summoned up the entire list of food that was to be brought with them. "This wil be the payment for their work. It is more then their worth" he said nodding, still so very proud of himself. The children were not very happy that guards were to bring them home, but hearing what they were to bring with them, that was worthy of a small thank you and a careful smile. "The rest of you can go now, back to work.. Benjamin" He looked up at the cook that was ready to both kill and hug the king. He had his daughters voice back, but his wife Becky still missed her eyes. "Yes my king" He said gently, his head held low. "Applepies, for each a generous slice. And some ale to celebrate this wonderous day" Salvador said, hoping that this would at least put a smile on Melia's face.

[Scottie]

She kept her eyes on the ground and then heard her name. She raised her eyes to him and felt her stomach drop to her feet when he told her to come closer. Her hands remained in fists but she moved over to him. Her teeth were clenched together as he tried to make her seem godlike to them. She had told him about it, she was owed their gratitude. Her nails bit her palms when he screamed at them to kneel. She felt sick. She felt like she was being made into something she wasn't. These people didn't owe her anything. If anything their bastard king owed them more than this. She couldn't look Goat...or Luna, Benjamin, Becky or even her brother in the eye. She couldn't look at any of them. The children would go home with food. Enough food to feed their families for at least a month. Benajmin was next to be spoken to. Something about apple pies and ale. Melia flicked her eyes to her brother as the others slowly filed out the room. Benjamin bowed his head, "Of course Sire." Melia kept that stony expression on her face as every one of the servants left the room.

Melia snapped her eyes to him and forced herself to give him a smile. She knew thats what he wanted to see. She could almost hear his thoughts, Had she not seen what he had just done? Was she not proud? He had done well. So she gave him that smile and then meekly dropped her eyes. Very much aware that the men of his council remained. The shock on their features was like nothing else. Never had they seen their king act like this. Melia took a few steps back from him and dragged her eyes back up as those to his left looked rather scared. She let a small real smile drift over her lips. Happy that the bastards who had benefited from their kings evilness were now receiving the blunt end of the deal. She kept her words quiet as she whispered to him. "Thank you. That was a noble thing to do."

[Dark Pigeon]

See, now she finally got it.. dear lord! He had to crawl over the floor next wasn't he? She did not seemed to be impressed so very easily with how incredibly generous he could be. "Well thank you" he said as sarcasm was dripping from every single word. He looked over his shoulder and slowly turned around, now it was time to show her what he would do to his counsel men if they were ever to disappoint him again. The older man that had been in charge over the servants was already sitting on his knees, ready to beg for his life, but for that of his family as well. He was a proud father with several children. His oldest daughter had her first born on the way, she was married to a respected member of the society. But his youngest, she was still at home, and his wife needed him to have this job. If he lost it they would end up in the streets, and he was not a very beloved man. If he was to loose everything, he was most certain that everyone would come after him, his family. His daughter would be tossed to the streets as her husband could not be married to the daughter of a beggar. "Please sire, I did what I had to keep the castle at its best. We have lost so many servants over the last few months. There are not many that we can just.. bring here sir.. please.. I would not have taken those children if I could find better help.." the man begged as he kept his head pressed against the floor . The other Counsel men did not dare to say anything, if he as to crash and burn, then he was to crash and burn alone. If anything they would push him in front of the train, with him gone they gained power. More power meant more money, and more money meant more security.

Salvador was not impressed by the words of the small creature that sat before him on the ground. "You brought children in my castle! CHILDREN!" Salvador roared at the man, his staff now in his hands as he was ready to strike. "I have no patients for those who go against my wishes. Drag them from further in the land, take mothers, husbands I DO NOT CARE! But one thing my dearest Winston.. You.. do NOT! bring Children in here!" Salvador puffed up his chest and glared down at the man on the floor. "Every single coin, every single possession you own... until each and every single one of them is paid" Salvador explained to the now nearly crying man. He did not want to be on the streets, he did not want is wife raped and killed, he wanted his daughters safe. He could not do that if he had nothing. "Sir please, I will pay them over time. But I can not do so now, I.. I don't have enough to do so sir.. we.. the.." He could not even end his sentance or he was hit over the head by the staff of Salvador. He wanted to crawl back on his knees so he could beg, but Salvador stopped him as he jammed his staff in the mans neck. "I don't give a fuck, I will give them the flesh of your very body.. you make right what you have done wrong. Don't you dare take money from the treasure.. or so help me gods, I will have you and your entire family skinned alive in front of all to see

[Scottie]

Melia raised an eyebrow as he tried to be sarcastic with her. If he had been anyone else, she would have whacked them one. But he did not need another reason to punish her. She watched his attention shift to the men who were still in the room. The counsel men who had made those servants lives hell. Melia watched the man drop to his knees and felt pity for him...Strange that. But she realised that even the wealthy had to do what they could to survive in this barren land Salvador called his kingdom. Melia knew the man was telling the truth, she didn't doubt that this castle had a high turn over of servants. How quickly Salvador snapped to anger and then his swiftness with killing servants. She believed the man crying on the floor. No one in her village wanted to work in that castle, they would rather starve. The only way to fill their quota was to take them by force.

Yes Salvador was angry. But Melia was pissed. Her hands curling into fists. No..Not anger at this man snivelling on the floor but Salvador. How dare he. How bloody dare he not notice a SEVEN year old roaming his corridors. How did he not notice that children were being taken too young...FOR A GOOD 30 YEARS. He was fine with them being dragged from their families but not children. He only cared that they were young, not that they were dragged her by force. Melia dragged her eyes to the door where she had come through. She thought for a moment, wandering if she could leave. If she could just walk through those doors and back to her room. The man was nearly crying now as he was told to pay up every single one of those servants. Melia took another step back from Salvador. She even turned and headed down the stairs. Her hands clasped behind her back as she remained at the bottom of the steps. His threats were not giving him points in her book. She heard the staff hit the man and knew how painful it would have been. The staff would make him ill. Make his next few moments hellish so Melia snapped her eyes up to Salvador and spoke loudly. "Sire. Would you like to go for a walk?" She asked him plainly. Almost as if she was bored with the current events in this room. But truly she wanted him to stop harming the man and stop the god damn threats. He may have helped those servants, but he did so by harming others. He wasn't making this world a better place again, he was just righting a wrong that had been so long in the making. He should have fixed that problem with the servants, the day that Becky was taken at 10 years of age.

[Dark Pigeon]

Salvador grinned as he looked down at the man that was in a great amount of pain now that the staff was touching him. Most of the Counsel men had never felt it before, but all knew that there was nothing quite like it. The man's body was convulsing, his entire body becoming stiff and ridged as it could not handle the amount of pain that it was feeling right now. Mister Winston badly wanted to get away, but his body was no longer listening to what his brain was telling it to do. He chocked in his own words as he tried to scream, but now unable to let any breath go in or out of his body as he lay there. Salvador would easily let him die slowly, watching the maggot squirm over the floor until all live had left his body. The other Counsel men did not dare say anything, fearing that the anger of their king would be upon them of they did. They did not even notice Melia walking up to Salvador until she was standing almost next to him, her hand on his shoulder as she wished for his attention as she asked him to go for a walk...

A walk?

The counsel men were not sure if they were to tell the foolish girl to keep her tongue, how dare she intervene with such important business. She as but the toy of their king, and she should behave like one. None of them liked the girl, the power she had over Salvador was something that both angered and scared them. Salvador looked over his shoulder to see who dared to interrupt him while he was playing with Mister Winston, a man who had disappointed him greatly. He took his staff of the man and violently turned around, his hand now around Melia's throat as he was not at all happy with her coming between him and his Mister Winston. He glared at her, snarling as he breathed heavily as he had been enjoying himself a little bit to much. He pushed her away from him and turned around as he gently placed his ponytail back over his shoulders as it had fallen forward in his attempt to kill Mister Winston. The man had tried to crawly on his knee's, ready to beg for his life as his king was now looking down at him again. "You make sure all is arranged before the next full moon. Or you and your family will decorate my city walls.. do I make myself clear?" He hissed at the man, his staff making the man crawl back as it was nearly touching him. "Yes sire, yes.. next full moon, I understand completely" He whimpered pathetically as he kept his forehead pressed against the cold marble floor. Salvador pushed himself to his full length, looking over each and every single counsel men before he turned around to look at Melia. He was not happy with her as he fully knew what she was doing, but that did not mean that it worked.

He started to walk out of the throne-room and off towards the hallways so he could bring Melia to see the large gardens that lay within the castle itself. It was full of blooming flowers, old fruit bearing trees, and lovely soft grass that would tickle your toes if you were to walk over them with bare feet. And his own favorite, a large pond that was full of large Koi fish in all the lovely colors you could find. "Walk!" he snarled at her when she did not follow him right away "We are going for one, now hurry up! DO not have me wait for you!"

[Scottie]

He was getting off on that man's pain. She could tell it. Any person watching him could tell. Melia figured that he would probably keep going until the man died. So she moved back up to him as she spoke. She felt about 10 sets of eyes land on her, they looked half confused and half angry. How dare she intervene in this. How dare she even talk to him that way. Melia let Salvador turn around to see her, giving him that same bored expression. Her eyebrows shot up when his hand gripped her throat. Her hands flew to his grip and instead of looking at him in fear, she glared at him. She wanted him to feel her anger. He may be pissed but she was furious. If she had the breath in her, she would have growled back at him. But she kept her lips tight shut and she had to stop her fingernails from digging into his hand. He pushed her away and she took in a deep breath before shaking her head gently. She heard him speak, but she cared little for that now. She took the stairs slowly and headed back for the door. He could shove his staff up his arse for all she cared.


She could feel his eyes on her and she stopped, slowly turning around to see him. Keeping her chin raised high, refusing to bow before his glares. Her hands were curled into fists as he stormed over to her and took off. She rolled her eyes and with a final glance behind her, she followed him. She kept her hands by her sides and watched his back as he moved before her. He went through a door and she faltered gently. Not really knowing where they were going. When he growled at her, she pushed herself to go through the doors. She was greeted with colours that she had only see in paintings. Grass. The grass was green, the trees were filled with leaves and the flowers were bright and blooming. He continued to snarl at her and she let out a loud groan. "Fine." She snapped at him and forced herself to hurry up. Not paying attention to all the colour until she was walking by his side. Her eyes flicked over the colours before her and she let it fill her with such awe. Her feet slowed down when they got to the pond and she stopped before it. A small smile spreading over her lips even though her hands were still curled into fists. "It's beautiful." The words tumbled from her lips as she bent over to look at the water. Watching the orange and white fish flick around in their home.

[Dark Pigeon]

The deeper they went into the garden, and the closer they came to the pond. The calmer Salvador seemed to get, but his anger was still burning bright within him. He was still furious, his hand shaking as he held his staff. How dare his counsel men do anything else but what they were told to do! How dare that bastard Winston go against his wishes?! He knew that in this garden was something that would always calm him down, no matter how angry he was. He had not been here for a while, not visiting the beautiful koi fish pond that sat within the castle-walls for ages. His eyes were turned towards the fish that were peacefully swimming around on and other. He could loose all is thoughts just standing there, staring at those beautiful big fish that demanded some attention. They were like puppy's really, as soon as they saw someone walking past the water they would come towards them, gently splashing with the water in the hope that someone wished to share their sandwich with them.

He snapped his eyes up to Melia as she stated that the garden was beautiful. well DUH! of course it was! IT as a royal garden, what did she expect?!. Lets not forget though, this rat of a girl had come between him and a kill, something he could feest his anger and hatred upon.. and he let her. Who was he angry at anyway by now? Her.. or himself?! "Is it?" He snapped at her as he looked back at the fish that hungrily came towards them in the hope that they would toss some food towards them. Normally they would have some day old bread, or some other nice treats that the kitchen was forced to feed these animals instead of sharing it with those who needed the food more than these fat Koi. Well, yes Salvador! It is a pretty damn beautiful place!! But he was not to admit to it first, he was not to play nice or be pleasant as he was still so fucking angry that someone had gone behind his back and take children from their home before they were 15 years old. This was getting pretty to close to Slavery, and he would not have that added in his list of bastard king of the year!

[Scottie]

She could have let out a small squeal of delight when they splashed the water in hopes of food. She heard his angry remark and she pulled herself back up to her full height as she turned back to him. The smile that had been on her face was gone, her eyes were cold as she shook her head gently. Passing by the pond and heading back onto the path. She kept her hands behind her back as she walked along. Her eyes flicked between the different flowers, taking in their colours and smells. She wanted to paint them all, paint the entire room. "Yes. It is rather beautiful. For every person that was in that room today, every single servant...not a single one will have ever witnessed something like this outside the castle walls." She flicked her eyes back at him before stopping before a bright orange flower. "These colours aren't something you happen across in the fields of Crookstone and those fish do not appear in the lakes of Stook." She could count on her hand how many people in that room had come to this castle willing.

She kept her eyes on him as he seemed to radiate anger. "Why did you invite me into that room today? Why not leave me to have my lesson with Vermin and see me after it?" She asked him bluntly. Blinking slowly as she wanted to wait for a response but she kept talking. "Did you want me to see the good that you can do? Hm?" Her fingernails were biting into her palms. "Yes. The children are going back home. The people who have not been paid for years will be paid." She trailed off and softly shook her head, leaving the orange flower as she walked. "But who will pay for the years that have been shed off their lives? Who will pay for the scars and wounds they hold? For the hatred they experienced daily and the pain they received for making supposed mistakes." She shook her head again and let out a loud long sigh. "I do not understand why I had to be there. You could have done that yourself. You could have torn the life from that man and been happy...rather than pouting because I stopped you from killing someone." She snapped her eyes to him and raised an eyebrow at him. "Like I stopped you from playing with a toy." Her words biting at him as she made sure to keep something between them at all times. Be it the pond or a brightly coloured flower. The anger she felt was not just hers. There was a woman inside her screeching at that green eyed man.

[Dark Pigeon]

Wait... what? Was she.. what? He looked like a confused chicken for a moment there, looking at Melia as if he was looking at a dog juggling ferrets. He wanted to tell her that he could not just open these gardens for others to see, it was not some public garden! It was HIS garden, did she not understand that? He blinked rapidly, those colors used to be there, as were big fat fish that could feed an entire family for days. He could not just make them go back, and he surely was not going to feed his fish to some people.. hell... he would not even eat them himself, he liked those fish! And each and every single one of them had their very own name and listened to them. He was not the reason why there was no food in the land, he was not the reason why everything was dying! He wished he was that powerful as others made him up to be. Hell if he was, he would march to the Lord of Light right now and kill that rat bastard himself right now! But then, this girl.. this infuriating girl! She dared to speak to him about things she knew nothing of, but now.. she was questioning him! How dare she!

"YES!" he answered her bluntly as she asked if he had wished for her to see that he could do good. That was the reason indeed, he wanted to see her being proud of him, that she agreed that what he did was the right thing to do! He did not know if he was doing was right, he did not know of his servants would be happy with what he had done! Had he not asked this girl to help him to do the right thing? Then why was she not doing so! She was failing him already, maybe she was to simple to know what to do? He had to help her understand, he had to tell her every single little fucking detail! His entire body was shaking in anger as she kept talking, he let her.. only so she could dig her very own grave deeper and deeper with every single sound that came out of those pretty full damn lips! "YES! I wanted you there so you could see that I am more than the monster that this entire world makes me up to be! You think I give a damn about them? About those idiots that scrub my floors and clean my linnen? They can be replaced! And that I did not do so proves just the more that I am NOT a fucking MONSTER!" He roared at her. The fish were scared off now, quickly they swam away and hid underneath the water-lillys where they tried to hide their big fishy-butts but failing miserably as they just were to damn large. He snarled and waved her of as he turned around when she asked him who was to pay the servants for the pain they had gone through all those years. "They will get over it! They have food, a roof over their heads and a damn job! They should not complain." he told her with a hint of shame as he knew that he was not the one to help them. He would rather hurt them, make them beg out of pain, make them crawl over the floor as he so very much liked it to see others do so. He knew that it was wrong, he fully understood that he should not do so. But that did not mean that he just kept on doing so. He let out a tired sigh as this girl just kept adding on, not seeming afraid for what he could do to her for what she was doing. Hell, he had killed people for doing far less!

Toy, she said that for him Winston was nothing but a toy. Of course he was! Salvador owned those men, they worked for him, they were rich because of him, they had power because of him! And that gave him the right to do what he damn well pleased with them. He looked up at her, anger in his eyes as he looked down at her. "You... don't understand? You.. simple... dumb witted girl" He told her as he looked at her before glancing at his fish that were gone. He was a bit startled because of that as his fish had never left his side. He looked up again as he blamed her for the fish leaving. "That maggot went against my wishes! No person under the age of 15 is to be removed from his or her house to be honored with the prospect of working in this castle! But he did so, he took them without any hesitation because he was to damn lazy to find someone of age. But worst of all, he has used the money that was for them for himself, not paying the servants I have in MY castle" He spat at her as he slowly walked over to her, this.. damn girl that had scared his fish away by making him angry! "I pay them because I do not want them to have the damn change to say I own them as slaves. I will not give anyone more reasons to call me what so many think I am.. You do, don't' you. You and the entire fucking world calls me the dark lord behind my back!" How he hated that name, how he hated it that his entire life they would try to make him look worse than he was. He was close to her now, his cold fingers twitching as he so badly wanted to slap this girl across the face, make her look down again.. make her tremble in fear as she should. "Go on.. tell me.. what names do your people in that filthy little village call me?"

[Scottie]

Yes. She had known that, even as the words left her lips. He wanted to show off, he wanted to her to be witness to his greatness. Her fingertips hovered over the bright red roses and she flicked her eyes to him. His body was shaking with anger as she continued to insult him. More than the monster this world makes him up to be...he was not helping his case at this moment. "I know you don't give a damn about them. But I do." She said plainly as she wandered around the pond. "Anything can be replaced. Why get upset at all?" He continued to screech at her, even as the fish scurried away. She let out a harsh mocking laugh, "Food, shelter and a job does not make you get over pain. Having a basic need does not make you forget years of torture." She flicked her eyes up to him and held his angry gaze. "I..do understand." She mocked him gently. "IT WENT ON FOR 40 YEARS." She didn't mean to yell but she did. Her hands were curled into fists. "How could you notice a 10 year old roaming these halls.....and HONOURED." Her fingernails bit into her palms.

"There weren't many of the right age. Boys were sent to the battle fields, girls were hidden away from those guards. So they took those less likely to fight back." She watched him get closer and she held her ground. He could drown her in that god damn pond, but she couldn't give him the reaction he wished. She wouldn't fawn over his greatness, not when he did not see the full picture. "You steal them like slaves...you pay them pennies and expect that to make up for the fact you dragged them away from their family." Dark lord. Yes. She had heard that word before. She dragged her chin up to look him in the eye. "In my filthy little village....They call you the death bringer. The dark lord. The darkness. The devil." Her words spitting at him. "They call you whatever they can when your guards backs are turned. But there are those that have some sort of fucking hope in you." Her eyes were filled with a red hot rage now. "There are those that still call you the King. There are those that are too...fucking stupid....and think that you can bring order back...EVEN after you stole away his sister." If he was any other man, she would have hit him. Had her fingernails dragging through his skin and make him cry out from the pain.

"There are good people in those villages. But you drag their children away and they curse your name. There are good people in Crookstone, but you put them on your war fields...and THEY DIE." Her fingernails broke through her skin but she didn't unclench her hands. "Some come to this castle, some agree to become a servant...and some go to fight your battles...all while thinking you a good king...Yes darkness covers this land, but light will come. Our king will figure something out. I am certain." Her last words were not her own, they were from a man who had sunlight in his eyes. Such hope in his heart. His mother had forced that hope into his soul, that the king would provide. He would save them, he just needed to come to them.

[Dark Pigeon]

GOOD! at least she understood that he did not give a flying fuck about those damn servants. Why would he even do so? They hated him, they feared him, they never asked how he was doing because they fucking cared. They were rat bastards that were just there to clean his damn castle, and they did deserve the treatment they got. Just do your damn work right, it is not that difficult to clean a damn floor! He ignored her question why he cared about her opinion, why he cared if they had been taken to that castle to early or not been paid. He cared because it made him look even worse than that the world saw him and that he hated. He disliked it because of his reputation. He chuckled as she stated that it had been going on for 40 years, it had been longer.. so very much longer.. and she did not even know. Did she even knew he was old, like... very.. unnaturally .. rather mind blowing old? He wondered that when she kept moving her mouth while words came out.. did she even know how long he had been king by now? "They should not complain about a little bit of torture here and there. As long as they do their jobs right they are fine. It is there own damn fault that they are to be punished" He snarled, those damn servants.. he would have them chock on that apple pie tonight for making this girl scream at him like she did, and for making him look worse than he had demanded himself to look this morning. "Children are born in here, how the fuck am I to know who's kid is who's?! I did not know that those children were dragged here by their hair. What was I to do.. ask? You demand from your king to ask a child how it got in the castle, and how it is feeling? I have more to do than to talk to the.. the.. offspring of some.. servant" he said, his hands waving in the air as he was already disgusted by the very idea of him asking a servant about his or her children.

He was not happy to hear what they called him, he had heard some of those names as he had people punished for it if soldiers or guards were to ever find out about it. But more so he was shocked, shocked to hear that there were still people out there that believed that he would do the right thing. People that believed in him, that would not call him the dead bringer, the devil, the dark lord. People who still saw him as human, as someone that could safe them. "They are idiots" he muttered as he looked back at his pond as he walked a few steps away from Melia. People.. that believed in him? really?? He wanted to meet those people, he wanted to hear them speak.. he wanted to suck up that hope, that believe and shower himself with their trust. He did not really believe that they were idiots, well.. maybe he did. How could they? He knew he had become what he was now, he was not an idiot himself. He could be incredibly selfish but that had never been in his nature to be like that. He was cruel, but he was not born like that, hell.. he had been a bit to soft at times. Crying because a mouse died, or a bug. And now.. now he enjoyed the pain and suffering of others, now he did not shy away from death anymore. He raised his eyebrow as his mind reminded him of something Melia had said. "Who's sister?" He asked as he regretted not bringing anything for the fish who were now slowly coming from under the Lilly's in the hope he had something for them. "Who still believed that I could bring order back, that I could bring light back.. even after I .. someone .. took his sister?" he asked her, as he wanted to know about this very strange person she seemed to know.

[Scottie]

She could feel pain shoot through her hands as she dug her fingernails in deeper. "And who punishes you hm?" She asked him bluntly. He would punish these people when they fucked up...who did it to him when he fucked up. Her jaw tensed up when he talked about children being born in this castle. They never got to see freedom, because of their parents they were forced into this world. "I know they are." She spat at him as he walked away from her. She didn't believe those hopeful souls. How they thought light would come back, that sunshine would surely greet their crops. Whose sister. Her teeth ground together. "No one." She said gently. When he wanted to know who this person was, she shook her head. She moved away from him, her hands still curled up into tight fists. Melia kept her eyes on the ground and wandered around the pond. She knew he would keep asking, wanting to find someone who thought the sun shone out his freaking ass. "He's dead." She said bluntly as she stared at her reflection in the water. The fish came back and tried to tempt her to feed them.

"He enlisted. Leaving his family behind. He went out to fight for you..and he didn't come back." She looked odd. Her hair pilled up and her cheeks painted. An expensive necklace around her neck and a dress worth hundreds of gold coins on her body. She didn't like her reflection. It wasn't her. It wasn't the woman that her brother was dragged away from. It wasn't the woman who came into this castle in search of her father. It wasn't the woman that Samuel left behind. She was the one lying in a warm bed at night. Her brother and father lay on a straw bed and hoped that the night chill wouldn't take their last breath...Samuel spent every night on a bed of dirt. How ashamed they must be of her? To give in this way? To squash who she is... Melia dragged her eyes up to meet his eyes. The anger had left her grey eyes, instead the clouds of grey seemed to glisten with rain. "I wish to go back to my room." She said softly. She let her eyes drag slowly over to the exit closest to them. "May I go back to my room?"

[Dark Pigeon]

He did not like her answer. One of those few people who had still believed in him had died, he did not want that. He did not want someone that did not believe him to be the dark one to die. Salvador wanted them to life, so they could spread their hope and give some if it to him as well. Light.. for him to bring light. He watched her as she moved around the pond and saw that the fish were following her now as they knew that Salvador himself had not brought something to eat, so their hope was now on Melia. But as he heard that the man had not returned, he knew that there might be a change that he was not dead yet. Now, he knew the name of each and every single person that had enlisted, was captured, and the names of those who had died.. at least, of those who was known that they died. His mind would remember those things, he wanted to forget but he just could not do so. He got news from the battlefield every single day, and knew that the names of those who had died would be brought to the right villages so their family's would know of their sons had made it or not. Those who were badly wounded and could not fight any longer would be brought back home. Only those who had been captured would not make it back, and to him it was unknown how many were still alive and who had died.

"No" he said bluntly, he would not have her leave just yet. She was his today until he was tired of her. "You can not leave now' he said to her as he looked around to see if someone had entered the garden that could bring them some bread for the fish. But they were there alone, so he needed to do what he had always done as a kid.. and that was finding bugs under the big rocks that circled the pond. He carefully bend over and tried to push a rock out of the way, hoping that he would find some creepy crawlers for the fish to eat. He found a big earthworm and a few little ones that he picked up and gently tossed towards the fish. As soon as they noticed that he was feeding them lovey nomnoms from one of their most favorite humans in the world. "Give me his name, is first and surname" He told her as he walked over to the next rock and tried to find some bugs under it. There was nothing there, so he turned over then next, and then another until he found something for the fish. "And I will tell you, when it pleases me.. if he is still alive, if he died, or of he has been captured"

[Scottie]

Her bottom lip gently wobbled as he told her that she could not leave. She wanted to. She wanted to go back to her room and hide under covers. Go back to her room and paint, to see the day light fade away. But he would keep her here. She watched him bend over and move a rock out the way. She couldn't really see what he was doing, so she moved around the pond. The fish followed her before speeding off towards him. He was throwing something to them and she was confused...where was he getting them. She saw his dirt covered fingers as she got closer. She wanted tor refuse as bluntly as he had but he gave her that little piece of hope that she needed. He could tell her..if he was still alive or not. She let her hands curl out from their fists and glanced at her palms. Small cuts littered her palms and she trailed a fingertip over them slowly. "His first name was Samuel. His surname was Johnstone." She said softly. "Samuel Johnstone. Aged 24 summers. He had three younger sisters and a mother who loved him."

Her eyes remained on her hands as she spoke. "The man could not harm a fly....I was the one who would snap at others. My sharp tongue kept them at bay...I only saw him fight twice...Once when some men entered his home to rob his mother...and when he came to help me." She dragged her eyes up to him as the small cuts on her palms healed themselves. "He was a good man. A fair man. He had such hope for the future." She gave him a small sad smile and felt tears prickle at her eyes. "He didn't deserve to go to war. He should have stayed behind. He promised..." She trailed off and shook her head violently. "His mother was told that he did not return from the battle field. She wasn't even given a definite answer." She bent over to a rock beside the pond that he had not touched yet. Lifting it and letting it roll away as she plucked the worms and beetles free from the earth. Gently tossing them into the water for those impatient water puppies.

[Dark Pigeon]

He would remember that name from now of on, he knew he had heard it before.. or better say read it before. A man that had volunteered to fight the war that had been going on for ages. It was rare finding volunteers these days, so he had stood out already for Salvador. But he had done nothing with it as he like always cared so very little about others, and was more concerned about his own safety and well being. Little did he know that he would be spending more time than need be finding all the information he needed so he could tell Melia about what he knew. He kept searching for bugs underneath those big rocks that decorated the pond, finding nice tasty bugs and big fat worms that he tossed towards the very hungry water-puppies that demanded all the noms that they could get. With every bug that was thrown into the water, the fish started battling one and other in a playful manner to get to the treat as first. They splashed with the water, droplets of it getting onto the expansive robes of the king that was feeding them, and he did not seem to truly care about it.

"I hope for his sake, he was able to hurt something when fighting. Or he would have died a rather quick death" Salvador said as he tossed a worm into the water, smiling as he saw that one of the smaller fish was able to catch it before the much bigger and stronger ones. He knew how the training of those soldiers went, if he had not been killed by his officers, he surely would have died in the war. maybe his search for what had happened to that man was a sort one, as he would find out that he had died a hopefully quick and painless death. He rolled his eyes when she stated that he had not deserved to go to war, he had gone himself! He was honoring his king and country, he would die a worthy death instead of slowly dying while trying to earn a living in this damn village he had grown up in. He looked up, a big bug in between his fingers as he was now getting curious about what she was trying to say. "what did he promise... what is it that this man has promised you, his family??.. who?"

[Scottie]

She plucked up a small beetle between her fingertips and chucked it into the water. She heard him speak but his words did not settle her soul. Infact, they made her feel sick. She didn't want to imagine Samuel fighting...or dying. Melia kept her concentration on the dirt beneath her fingertips. She tugged another rock up, plopping it onto its side. The bugs underneath tried to scurry away from her. Melia let out a small sigh as she pinched the end of a worm and let it tumble into the water for those hungry fish. Melia didn't like thinking about the war. It was filled with blood and pain...and death. She hadn't heard him tell her if he was still alive. But she had doubted that he would ever tell her. This felt like a massive joke. What did he promise? Her jaw tensed and she chucked the last beetle in sight to the fish. She pushed herself to her full height and brushed the dirt from her hands. "He promised his mother that he'd come back someone important to our little village. That he'd be able to truly help her again. He promised his sisters that soon he'd be back to protect them....He...He promised me that he'd come home."

She kept her eyes on her hands as those tears returned. Prickling in her eyes, threatening to spill out onto her cheeks. "He promised me that he'd come back for me." Her words were quiet, it was the first time she'd aired it to anyone. "My elder brother got married and moved away. Sammy was taken away...and Sophia...they say she won't make another two winters." Her hands curled back into fists as she let out a long angry sounding sigh. "Samuel said he'd come back for me...to make sure I wasn't alone." She flicked her eyes back up to him. "But he's gone. Those are empty promises..but they mean a little something to me."

[Dark Pigeon]

He watched her as she cleaned her hands after she had tossed the last beetle between the hungry fish. He himself stopped searching as well and cleaned his hands before gently asking his staff to come towards him. As a faithful puppy it did, and if it had a tail one would be able to see it wagging its tail. The fish were all pouting as the saw that their humans were no longer searching for food, now they had to do it all on their own food like all normal fish would do, how utterly stupid! They still followed around Salvador and Melia, truly hoping that their sad puppy-fish-dog-eyes would sway both humans to start searching for tasty bugs again. "What an idiot, promising he come back?" Salvador said slightly chuckling, how could someone be that dumb? "The only way he is to come back, if he and his men win this war for me, or when he dies. That is, if they find his body and someone cares enough to bring him all the way to his house and present his rotting corps to his family" he said rather gently, as in his mind he was just being kind, don't ask me how! But he truly thought that what he said was .. helpful in some way.

"Men can not just walk out of a war and go home, that is now how it works." He said with that horrible tried gentle smile spread over his face. It still made him look scary as fuck.. you would rather have him look angry.. trust me. "You stay there until you die, there is enough work there for everyone. Even the crippled, and one does not want to go him with a leg or arm missing now does he? Eeating the food that one that deserves it more can eat? Being utterly worthless, ever able to do something that is worthy of any praise? Believe me Melia, he is better of dead than coming crawling back to his mother so she can take care of him. A grown man living with his mother, how.. horribly absurd." he rolled his eyes and looked over at the fish that were still following them around. He smiled, he was proud that he was able to not kill this girl for lashing out at him. Anyone else would have been killed, but she was allowed.. as he had asked her to help him. She would make him better, he was sure of it. But she needed training though, much.. much.. training before she was perfect enough to be able to help someone as perfect as him.

[Scottie]

Her teeth buried into her cheek as he told her that Samuel was an idiot. Then he laughed. She closed her eyes slowly, trying to block out his words. But she could see it. She could see his mother crying by the door, his sisters refusing to enter the house again because their brother had been dragged back and dumped onto the kitchen table. It had happened before. To give them the "luxury" of burying their loved ones. Death stained the house, it never left. She could taste blood. Men can't just leave. She snapped her eyes open to stare at him. How he smiled like a rotten corpse. Her eyes were cold and held no emotion in the grey. She would have looked after him, she would have done something. Anything to see that golden smile again. He was still smiling and she wished more than anything to wipe that smug look from his face. She didn't say anything, she just watched him and then turned on her heel. She knew this room, which path to take back to the entrance. "I am going back to my room." She let her words float to him as she continued through the path of green and red.

She was done with asking for his permission. If his attempt at making her feel better was to insult her. Melia had tried so hard, so hard to make him feel better about his wife. Telling him everything he wanted to hear about. Telling only the good points. Not the arguments, the rage she felt in her bones or her last day. She kept those from them to save his soul. But with the darkness that echoed in his heart, she was regretting giving him that small kindness. Melia took another corner and could vaguely see the doorway in the distance. Her hands were still curled into fists, tears bit at her eyes as she concentrated on the doorway. "Don't you worry dove. I'll come back for ya. I'll take you away from here. Somewhere worthy of ya." His words echoed in her mind. Tears trickled down her cheeks and she felt sadness and rage build up deep within her. She was one more push away from screaming.

[Dark Pigeon]

He was absolutely dumbfounded when Melia just walked away from him, he was being a pleasant host! He was being perfectly nice and civilized. He had let her tell him what's what without taking her skin from her body, she had been able to tell him things nobody else was allowed to! But she seemed to feel to good about herself, being a little bitch as she so clearly just walked off. Now.. walking away, how dare she be that rude! NOBODY, walked away from him, nobody just turned their backs at him and went away. So naturally, he was growing violently angry at the girl. Now, he knew that his staff would be a dick about it, stopping him from hurting the girl that so badly needed punishment. The very thing was absolute om Melia's side at times, but one does wonder how far she could go before the staff would help him instead of her. "You are going nowhere" Salvador said hissing at her as he watched her just marching off like some damn army of one. "DON'T YOU DARE WALK AWAY!!" he roared at her so she went around the corner, heading to the door that would lead her back into the castle, and back to her room. She would not make it there, he would make sure that bitch never saw that room before he had given her permission for it. This girl needed to learn some manners, and he was about to teach her a few.

He let go of his staff as he knew that the damn thing would get in the way if he was to do something to this damn girl. He was furious, how dare she just walk away from him! Guards already came speeding towards their king as soon as they heard him roar. They knew something was up, and a few seemed pleased to see that it was because of this strange new girl. Before Melia could walk away from them, the had surrounded the girl that so clearly had pissed of their King. "Take her, take that damn girl' He growled in anger as he waved his arms about as he came closer. The guards did not need to hear this a second time and were on the girl in a split second. THey did not care if she bit, kicked, or was hitting them. If anything they did it right back to her (not the biting, that be silly) and pushed her harshly to her knees as they knew that their king wanted the girl right there.

How he grinned from ear to hear to see her on her knees. Even if she was the bearer of his wives soul, he was not to let her treat him like this. "Walking away from a king, tsk tsk tsk" one of the guards whispered in her ear as he harshly pulled her arm further back as Salvador came closer. His staff was vibrating violently as it knew what was going on, letting Salvador know that it did not agree with what was going on. The guards that stood between Salvador and Melia quickly stepped away as the king came to see the girl sitting on the ground with guards pressing her down. "Take her to the dungeons, she needs some time to think of what she has done. One does not walk away from a king like you did Melia.. for that I can have you killed. But.. I have other plans for you, and.. I did promise that no harm would come to you" As he said the last part he could hear the guards gasping in utter confusion, he would not hurt her.. no.. harm to this girl? The two that held her down harshly quickly released the tension on her arms so they were no longer hurting the girl. "Remove her dress... I do not want it to be stained by the dungeon floors. Keep her there for two weeks.. it must be enough time for her to contemplate what she has done" Salvador said with a slight smile, this truly was the softest kind of punishment he ever had ordered.

Salvador nodded and gestured for the guards to take the girl. "Have the maids remove her dress.. if any of you dares to touch her, I will deal with you personally" He said as he looked at his guards before looking down at Melia. "Anything to say??" He asked her with a voice as soft as silk.

[Scottie]

Her eyes flicked to the doorway back to the castle. That was where she needed to go. She could get back to her room in seconds, she knew the corridors, she knew the secret passageways. But he spoke, his words at first hissing at her before roaring at her. She kept moving, something flickered in the back of her mind. Anger at him, pure unadulterated rage. His wife would have slapped him silly if he had ever spoke to her like that. But Melia felt no rage. She felt empty, her family were dying outside the walls of the castle, her brother lived within and had his eyes removed for some reason....and Samuel was dead. That man, that bastard thought it better than Samuel coming home. She heard guards started to appear but she didn't panic. Instead, she stopped. Letting them surround her quickly. His growls drifted to her but she ignored them. Her eyes on the ground as they pushed her to kneeling. She had no fight for these guards, she was building it up deep within her to be unleashed at another.

Melia felt hot harsh words brush her ear and let her eyes flick up to him. Even as he pulled her arm back, she wanted to see his face. To commit it to memory. The rage she felt deep down would not register on her face, but she was already picturing the day that she could tear that mans tongue out. Melia slowly returned her eyes to Salvador and kept a neutral look on her face. Dungeons. Oh he was doing that now. Two guards let go of her arms and she felt the strain disappear. Only a numb humming was felt in her arms as she rested her hands on her knees. Remove her dress. Two weeks. She didn't remove her eyes from his, a coldness was echoing in them. She would not give him the anger he wished for, for then...then he could give her a punishment that these guards thought fit. As least the maids would undress her, she feared the guards wouldn't be as gentle. It was another flicker in the back of her mind, one of defiance. One of hatred and anger. She raised her chin to stare him in the eyes. "I can cope with two weeks....can you?" Her words were like a song, dancing through the air to him.

She felt a hand loop under her armpit as the guards dragged her to her feet. Melia shook her head gently and slowly let her gaze drift from him. The guards kept a tight grip on her as they led her away. Melia would be taken to another room, in there the maids would arrive. Not speaking to her, but saying what they couldn't with their expressions and their eyes. They felt sorry for this girl, being the kings personal play thing. It seemed that for every time she could do something right...she would do something drastically wrong as well. The dress was remove as was the under skirt and her under dress. She was dress in a plain brown dress and given some leather shoes to wear. The maids gifted her with a small pouch of chalk that she hid on her upper thigh around a small garter. Melia promised them in whispers, that if asked...she stole it herself. She was shown back to the guards before taken to the dungeons...under layers of dirt and stone to what felt like the pits of hell.
He said as he looked at his guards before looking down at Melia. "Anything to say??" He asked her with a voice as soft as silk.

[Dark Pigeon]

He leaned forwards as she questioned him, that little bitch was not trying to get on his good side. Instead she was deviant as she glared him right in his eyes. "You haven't seen the dungeons yet darling" he said smiling at her before she was dragged away by his guards. He smiled before walking back to his staff as he hoped that he would find some more bugs for the fish.

.... a couple of days later....

Those dungeons were hell, no questions asked. They were damp and cold, you would hear people beg and scream for pain to stop. The smell of death was the strongest in here, as the corpses of men and women alike would not always be removed on time. Rats would come in, eating their bellies full on the flesh of those who had died only recently. Nights were the worst. If you thought you could get some sleep between the horrible sound of people coughing and slowly dying, rats would nibble on your fingers or toes to see if you were still alive or not. Not to mention the food, a horrible tasting stew that had maggots swimming inside of it. Only the truly brave would be able to take a bite out of it. Only to be surprised that the food looked far better than it tasted... yes.. it was that bad.

As Melia would realize that she had been spending 5 days in her cell, guards came walking up to her and opened it up. By now she knew that this was a very bad thing, those who were taken out of their cells were tortured. Every single man and woman hated to see those doors open, and felt the safest between their own filth as long as those doors stayed shut. They said nothing as they simply grabbed Melia and dragged her out of her cell. But instead of going left, they headed right. Back to the long stairs that would bring you up to the castle.

No matter the suffering Melia went through, Salvador himself truly had a nightmare all on his own. His staff had gone absolutely insane and did not give his master a second of peace and quiet. No matter how strong Salvador's magic was, the staff itself truly had a few tricks up its sleeves as well. Rain in the middle of his room, crumbs appearing in his bed, his voice becoming incredibly high so he sounded like a damn leprechaun. Pieces of glass in his shoes, his robes itching, his hair growing insanely fast, his beard turning into bees, turning into a woman, his feet feeling as they were on fire, everything he ate would be vomited up, his food turning into maggots.. you name it, it happened. Every single moment, every single damn second.. his staff would let Salvador know that it did not agree and that it was angry.

As Melia was dragged into the throne-room, even they had trouble not to smile or laugh as they saw their king. They kept their eyes to the ground and quickly left, both almost choking as they kept themselves from laughing. When staff saw Melia it started to conjure up rainbows, butterfly's and colorful confetti. The entire Throne room looked like a unicorn had been having a bad case of diarrhea. Butterfly's flew everywhere, rainbows and unicorn drawings decorated the walls. But nothing, truly NOTHING would have EVER prepared a soul in this world.. for how Salvador was sitting on his throne. "And... did you like it down there?" He asked her as he sat there in a pink tutu, his hair in beautiful piped curls as he wore it in pigtails. As he coughed up some butterfly's (which happened ever 30 seconds or so) he cursed at his staff "She's back, now stop it' he hissed at the staff.. that only added to the lovely children's party by conjuring some fluffy white bunny's around the kings feet. His feet, oh those lovely fluffy pink slippers he was wearing. "Because.. I been having such a damn .. lovely time" He said, sarcasm dripping off every single word.

[Scottie]

.... a couple of days later....

Those dungeons were hell, no questions asked. But. They weren't that bad. She could cope. She passed death every day in her village, she heard people crying and screaming for relief from the pain every single day. Rats were a constant in her home...the food was different. But Melia didn't let it keep her down, instead...she filled her small cage with life. She had access to the stone work of the dungeon. Every single piece of the room was covered in drawings, flowers, birds, sunshine. Everything she could think of was on those walls. The people around her kept crying, so sleep was difficult. Food. She wouldn't touch it, so her stomach pained her. She had bags under her eyes and her skin was starting to grow raw from not bathing. But she would cope. That was until the guards came to her door, sliding the door aside. She scrambled back from them, she had seen men and women dragged along the corridor to where screams drifted to her. She didn't want that. She didn't want that pain. But they grabbed her by the hair and dragged her out the cell. What little fight she had left in her was wasted on those guards. She dug her fingernails into the ground to stop herself from going further. Blood seeped from the tears in her skin as they dragged her...away from the dungeon.

She was picked up, a hand under each armpit. She couldn't even walk, she was dragged along like a doll. And she let them. Maybe this was a new place of torture. Maybe they were dragging her to her family...to watch them turn into puddles before. Her mind had little time to stop conjuring the worst those days. No sleep had only made the shadows form into horrible beings. Melia could faintly make out the door to the throne room and dropped her eyes when they dragged her in. The guards chucked her to the ground and her hands flung out forward to save her face from smashing on the cold hard ground. She blinked slowly as the carpet beneath her fingertips was a bright pink. The room smelled of sugar and cookies and strawberries. Her fingers were slowly healing and she pushed herself up to sitting. Blinking rapidly with wide eyes as she truly drank in her surroundings. Butterflies, rainbows, drawings. It was more fitting of a "princess" room than a throne room. Melia dragged her eyes to the throne and couldn't stop herself from faintly laughing.

"Of course not Sire." She said softly, her eyes half open as this room felt just right...to nap in. She smirked as he stood, a pink tutu around his waist. His hair in perfect curls with ribbons dangling from it. He coughed and butterflies drifted from his lips. Every time he moved his hands, glitter would spout from his fingertips. She heard him hiss at the staff and knew that she had to thank the staff. She gave it a small smile as bunnies appeared around his feet and ...oh the slippers. She gave him a faint smile before nodding. "I can see that Sire." Her mouth was dry and her skin felt ready to crack open. It was like all the death and dirt from that dungeon had sunk into her very bones. She let her grey eyes drag up to him before watching pink clouds drift past his head. She dropped her hands to her lap, dirt clung to every inch of her and her skin looked positively grey. "Pink suits you." Her words gentle but they would reach him. She didn't say it with a smirk, it was just a sentence that floated from her lips. As it reached him, the staff would conjure up another puff of pink glitter to float over him. The staff circled him like an excitable puppy and shot out small pink fireworks.