The Kingdom of Broken Glass

The Kingdom of Graza

(Liza's Point of View)

Liza combed through her hair in Amon's room. He had let her have the room to herself so that she could shower and get ready before their mission. She could have done this at her own home, but her dad had the week off of work so he was home all day. She preferred to avoid him.

Her hair was knotted from the messy braids that she had in for a week. Raysa had given her a bottle of rosemary oil to put on the ends. It felt so nice to be able to properly comb through her hair and have scented oils to make her hair smell pretty.

Liza sighed as she gazed at the room around her. Raysa had given Amon this beautiful bedroom all to himself, and she had filled in with blankets, books, furniture. Liza couldn't help but feel a little jealous at everything that had been given to him. To be fair, if Liza asked to move in, Raysa would probably say yes. Most everyone else lived here, it just made sense for them to live so close so that they could train.

The only thing holding Liza back was her father. As much as he abused and tormented her, she still loved him. He was her father. She was still able to remember a time when he had been happier, when he had been with her mother. He definitely still had a temper, but it had been better when her mother was around. Liza couldn't find it in herself to leave him all alone.

A knock sounds at the door so Liza calls for them to come in. She figured it was Amon's room so he was allowed to come and go as he pleased.

"You used my special rosemary oil," Raysa says. Liza looks up in the mirror to see Raysa closing the bedroom door behind her. She tried not to look shocked, but she also was expecting Amon.

"Yes," Liza replied. She continued brushing her hair, "I like the way it makes my hair smell."

Raysa comes to stand behind her, leaning down with a soft smile on her face. She peers at Liza through the mirror, "Did you want me to do the back?"

Liza knew something was up. Raysa Brekker would never just come up to her because she simply wants to brush her hair. Still, she did not want to offend her. "Sure."

Raysa took the comb from her and started to part the back of her hair. Her hands were gentle as she untangled the knots. "So," she started. "Are you nervous for today?"

Little had been said about today's mission. All Liza knew was that they were leaving late at night, long after the sun had gone down, and that they were going to a Kingdom. She didn't even know which Kingdom. This actually resulted in her being less nervous, as she had next to no idea what was going to happen.

"I'm not nervous."

Raysa smiles, "Good. There is no reason for you to be. Do you know what is going to happen tonight?"

Liza shakes her head. "Honestly," she says. "I do not."

"I am sending you into the Kingdom of Graza tonight," Raysa replies. "I have a task for the group, but mostly I have a task for you."

"Okay."

Raysa leans closer, "Can you keep a secret?"

Liza feels herself start to blush. She wasn't used to being singled out, nor being given any special attention. She fought the urge to lean away from the woman. "I can keep a secret."

"I don't really need to send the whole group out tonight," Raysa starts. "They are simply a distraction. What I really need is something that only one person can get for me. I need to make sure this person can keep this private, as I do not want everyone knowing about this. Can you keep this private?"

Liza nods, "I won't say anything."

"Even to Julian?"

She hesitates, knowing how hard it is to keep things from the one you love. However, "I won't tell him anything."