Soldier *Sequel to Empty*

Chapter Nine

Evangeline pulled the door open.

A guard stood at her door, he was breathing heavily. " M'lady Evangeline, you are urgently requested, in the council. You must hurry."

Evangeline nodded and bolted down the hall.

She didn't stop running until she reached the council room. She pushed open the door. Men and women surrounded the council table.

" What is it?" She asked as she joined her queen.

" The Ronanlian's, they have declared a trade."

Evangeline's eyebrows rose up. " The Ronanlians?"

"Yes, it involves you."

A loud sound of a fist on the table silenced the whispering.

Odin stood at the head of the table. " You have all been gathered tonight, for a reason. That reason involving the Ronanlians."

More hushed voices.

" Silence!" He interrupted. " The Ronanlians, have something of our lady Evangeline's. Her brother."

A gasp slipped past her lips. " What do they want?" She asked.

" That is uncertain. They wish to meet."

Evangeline shook her head violently, the council all had eyes on her.

" It would be a trap. The Ronanlians know of no fair trade. They are monsters. It would be a death sentence."

Odin narrowed his eyes. " They have your brother."

" That isn't known. I haven't seen him in two hundred years."

" So you wish to let him stay in the Shades' grasp? Your own flesh and blood?"

Evangeline slammed her hands down on the table.

" Only a fool would choose to believe they told the truth! Do you not understand?! They may have my brother! It would be a trap! We would be slaughtered like sheep!" She shouted.

" You amaze me, Evangeline. I thought you to be different."he said in a somber tone.

" Different from what?"

" My son. I thought you had a heart." The old man stated.

She recoiled as if she had been slapped.

Tears formed in her eyes. " Listen to me you old fool. Don't you dare accuse me of having no heart."

She began to walk away when she stoped.

" I understand now."

" Understand what?"

" Why he let go in the first place."

____________

Evangeline was packing in her chambers. Her pack was almost complete, she was in her battle armor when a knock was on her door.

Utterly infuriated she wrenched open the handle. " What?"

Her eyes softened when she saw Thor in the door way.

" I came to see how you were fairing."

" I'm fine Thor."

" Where are you headed?" Evangeline turned away and returned to packing her bags.

" To find my brother."

" You said you would be slaughtered-"

Evangeline turned sharply. " I said an army would be slaughtered. I am no army."

Thor looked at her with sympathy.

" You cannot do this alone."

" Why are you going to stop me?"

" I'm going to accompany you."

A/N
And the tension builds. As you would guess, Odin and Evangeline don't get along. So here it is. :)