The Son of Light

Chapter 15 The Prophet and the Pilot

Hannah returned to the Lu'Ciel's Manor early the next morning with ecstatic joy in her heart. Not only had she made friends with a foreign prince who sympathized her plight, but she had also found another like her, a individual with strong Asähr, and a prisoner in an enemy land. Perhaps by working together, they could escape back to their own worlds. And free the poor Ghüddsche people as well. Hurrying back to her tower she was glad to see the sparrow was doing much better then when she had found it. It fluttered and chirped happily at her return, nestling itself into her hair. "Hello" she said stoking the fat little sparrow affectionately. "Are well feeling better now yes?" The sparrow chirped happily and ruffled its feathers tickling Hannah in the process. She giggled and gently placing the sparrow on its make shift perch, Hannah undressed washed and got into bed. There for the first time in a long time, she slept happily. "Now I know it wasn't all a dream," she said in her sleep.

The next morning Hannah was awoken by a loud and severe knocking. The Sparrow jumped and screeching in terrified chirps flew out the window. Hannah jumped up and ran over to the door, where she found mean Mrs. Neslock glowering down upon her. "Get dressed, The Madam wants you to accompany her to luncheon. Put on your best things and don't dally!" And with that she descended the stairs. Hannah feeling a bit dazed and groggy, reluctantly began to get dressed. She didn't want to go to Lunch with Blanchette and her friends, she was still exhausted from the previous night. She had hoped to cloister herself off in the gardens and run about naked and free, enjoying the warm sun. But unfortunately it seemed this would not be the case. Half an hour later she and Blanchette were being whisked away in the Bryce Rex Blanchette talking the whole time. "You made quiet the impression last night my dear, so many people were asking us who is the pretty little thing? Yes your presence warranted a substantial amount of curiosity amongst those that matter. Naturally there was so much going on that hardly anyone could meet you. You caught the fancy of the Maharajah! He rarely socializes with anyone let alone a young girl. I think you may have a bright future for ahead of you my dear, so long as you know your place and do as your told!" Hannah nodded fervently. She didn't dare contradict Blanchette. "Anyhow, we will dining at The Statesmen. You may order anything you like but goodness sake don't talk with your mouthful. I don't know what kind of women your mother was but she clearly failed you." Hannah felt like a coal had just dropped down into her heart that seemed to ignite every bit of her. But she nodded stupidly and said nothing.

Presently they came to a great colonnaded building that overlooked a massive square. The chauffeur dropped them off in the front were they were quickly bowed in by the Maître d'hôtel, who personally escorted them to a private terrace, where Blanchette's friends all sat about taking coffee. Hannah was introduced to each of them one by one and felt rather stiffened by the whole affair. She order the Merovingian Chicken and sat about listening to the most dull and unimaginative gossip of Blanchette and her friends about the most asinine things imaginable. She tried to focus on the ambience of the square below her. There seemed to be loud jeers and mocking calls coming from below. "Oh no, not another of those infernal doomsayers!" declared a friend of Blanchette by the name of Rosette. Hannah turned to see what she was looking at and her heart nearly stopped. There, in the middle of square was a man dressed heavy robes and a cloak. Clutching a staff and seemingly crying out to a crowd of people who jeering and laughing at him. A Uriel! Here? Now? without thinking, Hannah leapt up out of her chair and hurried down and out of the Restaurant before anyone could object. Rushing across toward the Uriel she could now here what he was saying.

"Here the words of the Allfather, people of this land! Your doom is neigh! You have committed great evil in the eyes of the Allfather, Enslaving those who are guiltless, and murdering those who are innocent. But it is not too late! Repent of your sins, right the wrongs that you have made, and make peace with the Allfather, who stands ready to forgive you of your transgressions!" But the crowd booed and began chanting horrible things at the Uriel. Some even began throwing stones. "No!" cried Hannah rushing through. She ran through the crowd not caring to be polite and rushed up to the Uriel. "Sir! Please help me! I am being held here against my will! I'm a friend of Bishop Scythorahir! Please you must tell him I'm here-" WAM! Hannah was thrown aside as a horde of COPS Officers seized the Uriel and began roughing him up. "No!" Cried Hannah. The Crowd was cheering and mocking the Uriel with more terrible words and gestures. The Police were now dragging the battered Uriel away. "What are you doing to him?" Hannah wailed. "He's to be taken to prison to await trial! Stir up trouble will he? Not in my Capital!" The throng was now following the COPS Officer to the nearest prison, Hannah was swept along like a pebble in a roaring river. Minutes later they were all gathered outside the prison while COPS Officers began to hold back the crowd. Hannah was about to rush up the steps and slipped inside, but something clobbered her in the back of the head and she fell stunned.