The Followers Of The Prophecy

The Traitor

Back to the present:

There Melannid was. Her hair, a fishy knot of disgust. Slimy in some places, dried and crusty in others. In her hand, an empty bottle of poison. Hickies everywhere, makeup ran through her face. Blood over her sunkissed tan, and scars from the dangers of the wood. She had been wearing a black short dress that was torn on the back side and the bottom of the skirt. Not a single soul standing around her knew where Melannid had come from, or at what time she got there. But there she was, in front of the cave at the crack of dawn, blacked out like a party hungry teenager.

"Is she dead?" Pahedra asked curiously, poking her leg against Melannid's head.

"No, she's just stupid," I answered, "Melannid... Melannid! Can someone wake her up?" I said, leaning from my wheelchair.

Morgan kicked her in the stomach at full force. Though that wasn't what I meant by waking her up, I guess it did the job. Melannid jolted awake, slowly and weakly got on all fours, and puked on the ground. She looked up at us, her eyes out of focus. Her balance was completely off, and she had a stench that could run for miles. She giggled.

"Hi, guys," she said mid-giggle, "Did you miss me?"

"You were gone for five days," Sebaiwhyn scolded her, "Where were you?"

"Well, as you can see, big guy, I was enjoying life. We all know we're gonna lose the battle against the king. I wanted to have fun before I died," she said, slurred in speech.

"What makes you think we're gonna lose?" Twyla asked her with an attitude.

"Prilik," she laughed loudly, and laid her head on the ground again, "Prilik told me my life was and will always be one of misfortune. What more unfortunate than losing a war?"

Though I felt myself believing her words, I held on tight to my own feelings, "Quit talking crazy. If I could get out of this fucking chair, you'd be blacked out for different reasons."

"Okay, miss coma," she said, not facing me. She laid on her side, and sulked. Of only twenty-two years old, three years younger than me, and so troubled. Her legs were bent, and her knees almost collided with her chin. She sniffled, clearing up her nose every three seconds. It could have been the cold, but each sniff sounded so pained. I wished Cocerus could tell me everything about her.

I had to ignore her stupid remark to keep her from continuing her blabbering, "I guess we'll hold our meeting here," I turned to the rest of them, talking to the group, "You've been to Yellowseed enough times to know the nooks and crannies of the sandy city. I have one final mission for you before we storm the castle. I need you to spy on the king. Watch his daily routine and take note. Try to get a glimpse of the space behind the throne. Note everything you can about the castle. If it makes it easier, infiltrate it. Befriend the employees and make them come to our side. If the guards are on our side, it will make it easier to break into the castle. Learn everything you can about the king, and about his environment. I want you to stay there for a week, and I want you to spend every minute of that week studying the castle. Take Phaedra and Morgan with you. You could use Phaedra's white magic, and Morgan's witchcraft."

"Who will stay with you?" Morgan asked.

"I can handle myself," I told her, proudly knowing that it was true.

"Let Rao stay with her," Twyla suggested, "He's never been to Yellowseed and he's the one who's trained the least."

"I'm okay with that," Rao said. Not thinking much about it, I let him stay with me.

Before I could say it was settled, and the plan was set, Morgan stepped to me, Venus and Twyla closely behind.

"I made an important decision when you were gone," Morgan said, and then remained quiet. I felt my heart quickening.