It's My Life

Chapter 38 - Not Quite as Planned

Tom woke early the next day, momentarily forgetting where he was, but a glance around the small guest room reminded him. He had stopped by the Halway Centre after his swim, and stayed over in one of the many guest rooms, one that was above-water. He got up and changed, and went to the dining room. Since there was always people staying at the Centre, there was always buffet meals available. As he walked into the dining room one of the elders was being served.
"Ah, Thomas White, a pleasure." The older man said. Tom bowed slightly to show respect, though he didn't salute, that was for royals only.
"Elder Rythic, it's good to see you." Tom said, sitting down next to him. One of the servants brought a plate of bacon, eggs and sautéed greens to Tom, who thanked him, and then turned his attention back to Rythic.
"I thought I recognised your presence. What brings you to Halway?" Tom asked. Rythic ran a hand over his chin.
"We are all here to support the royal family. We cannot be in the room when the call comes in, but we are here to support King Arnes." Rythic said. Tom nodded.
"What do you suppose the demand will be?" Tom asked.
"Honestly son, I don't know. We have to assume the worst, or Vance would be satisfied talking to your dad." Rythic said. Tom at slowly, nodding.
"Yeah. I just hope she's okay." Tom said. Rythic put his gnarled hand on Tom's arm.
"I'm sure she will be. She means a lot to you. Girlfriend?" He asked.
"Yes, Sir. I love her dearly. If that man hurts her..." Tom couldn't finish the sentence. Rythic patted Tom's arm.
"I'm sure she's fine. He wouldn't harm the very thing that gives him leverage. It would be unseemly, in either world." Rythic said. Tom frowned, eating his food, going quiet. Rythic stood slowly, and Tom was surprised at how well he moved for a Mer of his age.
"I will see you later." Rythic said, and Tom stood and bowed, watching Rythic leave. He knew the royal family would be dining in their rooms, no doubt they had a lot of things to think about. Tom sat down again, and sighed. Rythic had had a point. Vance wasn't an idiot. He'd planned everything well. Finishing his food Tom stood up, heading down to the sealed room that was the connecting room between the two worlds, a pool in the middle of the room. He had a few hours to kill, and he wanted to go for a swim, to forget about his troubles and pass the time. He dived into the pool and swam deep, transforming effortlessly. He met a few people on his journey out of the Centre, but no one he knew well, so nodded politely and kept swimming, his mind open and alert.

I rolled over groggily as someone shook my shoulder, and looked up at Pierre, then sat up quickly, but fell back again onto the pillow.
"Are you all right? It took me a bit to wake you." He said. I nodded, though I knew I probably didn't look it. My hair was plastered to my forehead and to my back, and I felt hot, dry, and parched.
"Yeah, I'm fine." I said, though I tried to block my mind off at the same time. Pierre sighed.
"You don't feel fine. You look, well, sick." He said. I looked up at him.
"Imagine how I'll be in two days' time. If Vance is true to his word, he won't let me submerge for two more days." I said. Pierre frowned.
"You won't be dead, but you'll be exceptionally weak. I don't know what else." He said. I felt tears form.
"Please, help me." I begged, a note of despair in my voice. He put a hand on my forehead.
"I can't. But..." he started, but stopped as we both felt a new presence, and looked at the door to see Vance glancing in. I stood up quickly but wobbled on suddenly weak legs.  Pierre took hold of my arm to help me.
"Good morning, Princess. I see that no swimming is starting to take its toll on you." He said. I felt anger swell inside me, and normally I would have run at him, but I stayed still. He smiled.
"Finding it hard to block your thoughts, huh? I told you that'd happen. You can't fight me." Vance said. I stood up straight, my eyes flashing angrily, and built a wall around my mind, imagining a wall with jagged glass sticking out. Vance laughed.
"I may be weakening, Mr. Ashton, but I'm not down for the count yet. I believe you are speaking to the king and queen later today, please send them my best and that I'll see them soon. I'm sure whatever you ask for they will not give you anything." I said. Vance watched me with a calculating gaze.
"I am impressed, if anything I would've thought you would be unable to focus so much. I underestimated you. But I shall not again. Or your parents. They will do what I say." Vance said. I laughed, or tried to, though it sounded forced.
"You believe that, if it gives you comfort. I may not know them as well as others, but if they're anything like me, then they will fight until the end." I said.
"And what if that end is your death, Princess?" He asked. I felt a prickle of fear, but fought to hide it. I saw Vance's eyes narrow, felt him probe my mind and I shoved so hard against his mental attempt that he actually stumbled back. I felt a flash of anger from him, triumph from my own mind and a quickly quelled shock of pride that could only have come from Pierre.
"Pure instinct, Princess. Don't get cocky. It won't happen again." Vance said. I felt warmth beside me, a mental smile, and I nearly looked at Pierre, but I could tell that Vance hadn't felt it, so I stayed still.
"Don't probe my mind again, and I won't get cocky." I said. Vance frowned.
"This time tomorrow you won't be able to block me. In two days time I'll be able to stroll through your mind like it's a public park." He said. I pulled away from Pierre and stood up as tall as I could.
"We'll see, Mr. Ashton. You yourself told me that you know what I'm capable of, even if I don't, and now I'm seeing what those things are. Thank you for opening my mind to all the possibilities." I said. He glared at me for a moment, and then turned on his heel and stormed off. I heard him open the stairwell door and felt the world outside burst in through the door in that second, but before I could send anything through he had slammed the door. I oved to the bed, a hand on my chest to calm my pounding heart. Pierre watched me.
"Are you all right?" He asked. I nodded, though I felt tears forming.
"He scares the crap out of me. I thought for a moment that he was going to murder me." I said, rubbing my eyes with the back of my hand.
"He was merely shocked that you repelled him like that. He's right though, you are all instincts and reactions, you'll need training, and lots of it. But that was well done." Pierre said. 
"I felt your pride, why did you only allow me to feel it?" I asked. He smiled.
"It's always a proud moment when someone learns something new. I wanted you to feel that, however I knew that if Mr. Ashton felt it, he would've either attacked me, or fired me and delivered me to the authorities. I don't know which is worse." Pierre said. He picked up the food tray and put it on the bed.
"Could I have some salt water to drink?" I asked. He shook his head.
"I am not allowed to until tonight, I'm sorry. I'll come back for you later. He wants to ask more questions before he leaves." Pierre said. I groaned. He patted my arm and then headed out. Something he'd said came to mind as he left, and I quickly moved to the door, opening it just a crack. I heard Pierre open the stairwell door, and felt the outside world. Mustering up all my strength and focusing on one mind, I sent out my message.
"I love you and miss you. I'm okay for now, he won't let me swim for four days. Asking a lot of questions. Please find me." I sent to Tom. The door shut, and everything was quiet again. I looked at the food, feeling almost sick at the thought of eating, and headed into the bathroom, still feeling sweaty and dirty, so I had yet another shower, feeling a little weaker, knowing it was only going to get worse. Once I'd finished showering I dressed and went into the bedroom, sitting on the bed and pulling the food to me. I ate the cold toast and butter, then put the tray aside. I hoped Tom had heard my message, but I couldn't be sure. I lay down, my damp hair fanned out beside me, nearly touching the floor, and I closed my eyes.