Wizards

CHAPTER 25: The Heir

Rei woke up in the comfort of a soft and warm bed inside a room caressed with a gentle breeze.

     "You're awake, my lady," said a voice that could easily belong to a middle-aged man.

     "Who are you?" said Rei. The strong light made her squint for seconds. She quickly sat up and a hand gently touched her shoulders.

     "Hold still, my lady. Don't rush," said the man.

     Rei held still until her visions came back to normal. With her aching hand, she touched her aching head. At the very same time, she toured the room with her eyes; walls bricks, torches, bookshelf, vase on the corner, and a coffee table by the window. Curtains were dancing elegantly with a gentle breeze that's flowing in from the opened window.

     The man spoke again, "You're safe now, my lady. . . ."

     Only then she realized — this wasn't any place she knew.

     "Define safe," she said calmly.

     "What do you mean?"

     "You said I'm safe. Safe from where?"

     "The bad people of course!" he laughed.

     Bad people. . . . Rei closed her eyes and it all came rushing in.

     It was warm — no — it was hot, as though something was burning beside her. The sound of sparking wires woke her up but it was too painful to move. A man — Cole — lie still beside her; blood all over his face, clothes turned almost red. The smell of smoke and burning rubbers was present.

     "Osiris Control, we've crashed. The package is compromised, over," said a man not far from her.

     "Osiris, I repeat! We've —" at the flash of light the O-En silenced.

     Rei tried moving. But her body wouldn't let her. Then a hand dragged her out. It was a hooded figure who pulled her.

     "You're safe now my lady," said the hooded man. "My name is Javik. . . . I'm here to save you,"

     There was nothing else she could remember past that.

     Rei turned to look at the man who was assisting her. His hair was white and his face was as though time had been his friend for a long time. But there was calm within his eyes — it was obvious because it smiles together with his lips.

     "You were at the crash site. . . . You're Javik," said Rei.

     "A pleasure to meet you, my lady," Javik bowed.

     "Why am I here? What happened?"

     "We intercepted with your convoy. You were being taken by the authorities of Magicana to pay for crimes that you were innocent of. We saved you. . . ."

     "You're the Brotherhood?"

     Javik nodded, "We're the Brotherhood."

     Rei turned, she quickly checked her pockets, and she checked the bedside table.

     "You're looking for this, I guess?" said the Javik, giving Rei her wand — former wand. "It snapped at the crash, I'm sorry."

     Javik walked back to the foot of the bed, "Our healers did well, my lady. Minimizing damages, dispelling the lip-lock spell — I believe it is safe for you to walk right about now. Will you join me?"