Book One - The Dragonkin Empire.

Respite

  Alice's side

 We both keep staring at each other, on Arianna there is an expression of suprise that I didn't think I would ever see. We stay unmoving until she remembers the man and turns to face him but he is not inside the room anymore, the person sliped away without making any sound as soon as the chance appeared. She stares at the door and bites her lower lip, a few moments pass before she turns to face me again and starts walking with strong, determined steps to the door and opens it hard. I stumble backwards hitting my back with the wall and slide as far as the wall lets me, Arianna's tall frame towers menacingly over me and since I'm sitting on the floor on top of my butt the effect is increased, I don't know what to say and just return her stare, I cannot stand her gaze for long and drop my stare to my feet, between my confusion and bewilderment I feel embarrased over what I just did a strong feeling of  humiliation overcome me, I am a guard and yet I was caught peeping. The feeling gushing forth is so strong that I can't hold it inside me and tears start leaking out.

 I keep my head lowered feeling pathetic when suddenly the enormous pressure of her stare is lifted and a small sigh escapes through her lips, I hear her footsteps as she walks away from me and heads for the kitchen. I stay where I am without trying to move, crying in the hallway floor when she calls me.

"Come over." I cover my face with my arms keep weeping, I don't think I can do anything else. "I told you to come!"

 She aproaches me and lifts me easily from the floor with a strong push and guides me to a seat, I follow without spirit. When I finally see what's in front of me I find a mug with green hot water inside which are leaves at the bottom.

"Drink, it'll make you feel better."

We keep quiet while I wait for the water to cool down, when I take a little sip of my mug a strange, bitter taste spreads around my mouth, it tastes strong but it's not bad, though I think it will take some practice to really apreciate it. All the while Arianna has her eyes on me but I avoid her gaze persistently, I hear another sigh.

"If you're going to ask, do it already."

I consider the offer and ponder if I really should ask, I don't know if at this point I have any right to know, but there are also many things I don't understand, if I don't ask now I doubt I'll be able to do it another time. I gather my resolve and start with the obvious question in a small voice.

"Who... was that man?" Her face immediately turns sour.

"That...!" She raises her voice and stops. "is a sick person."

 West's Chief side

She's looking back and forth between me and Roux with her brows knitted tighlty trying to see if either of us is lying. We wait patiently for her to finish.

"If you think it through it is possible. Don't you feel anything after he has made a fool out of you? I'm sure it must be hard, you trusted him and things still ended up this way."

Roux is trying to sweet talk her, I've already said my piece to her so I don't butt in and just watch from the sidelines.

"It sounds ilogical... and you also have me here, beaten up. I can't trust what you say." He ignores her words

"I have proof, have you seen his staff? You know what it does?"

"Yes, it makes easier to control mana, a common tool."

Roux nodds exagerately and goes to retrieve the staff. He still holds it like something precious before handing it to her, I wonder if he'll ever get through with his theatrics, she doubts him, as anyone would, but still recieves it all the same. The instant her hands touch the wood her eyes become wide open. She grabs it, turns around and touches every inch of it. Roux talks again in a low voice close to her ears.