Veil of Shadows

Chapter 46. Mind Games

"So Shadow's planning something?" Blaze asked Wolf as they walked down the hallway, side by side.

"I gave him the glass pen. I don't know what he plans to do with it, but I know for certain that it doesn't involve calligraphy." Wolf replied, scanning around them for the hundredth time for any sign of guards.

"I'll assume that means yes. And what about Ranger? I don't think Notch is telling the whole truth concerning her detainment." Blaze continued, fiddling with the satchel that was slung over her shoulder.

"I get the distinct feeling that he's hiding something from us. I will find out what it is, and when I do, our group will be the first to know." Wolf tensed as they neared a bend in the hallway, then relaxed as they turned and saw that the hallway was empty.

"Should I call for backup? Midnight isn't exactly on good terms with Notch, and she's surprisingly adept at spying." Blaze told her, then paused. "Then again, she's more likely to knock them unconscious rather than actually be patient and gather information."

"I know. That's why I like her. You think she can come over?"

"If I ask her, she'll come."

"Good. We need all the help we can get."

"...I'm not sure how to feel about this. I mean, until now, Notch has been our King, and suddenly we're planning against him."

Wolf stopped in her tracks in the middle of the hallway, and Blaze was forced to do so as well in order to not leave the Brine Hybrid behind. Blaze was surprised to find that her companion's stare had turned intense.

"He has never been my King." Wolf growled. "You have no idea what he is capable of, what he is willing to do to stay on the throne."

Blaze blinked. Of course, Wolf had experience in dealing with Notch. Apparently it hadn't been good experience either. Her friendship with Wolf ran deep enough that it convinced her not to trust Notch.

"Alright. I'll get Midnight. What will you be doing?" Blaze asked, though she already knew the answer.

Wolf smiled. It was a grin that promised bloodshed, one way or another. "I'll be finding out where Ranger is locked up."

~

Once again, Wraith and the unknown figure were in the same room. But this time, they were not about to start throwing punches. This time, the unknown figure looked almost wary, while Wraith ignored him completely.

"I'm beginning to think that you enjoy irritating me."

Wraith looked up, acknowledging him for the first time since she entered the room. "You? Thinking? I find that difficult to believe."

"Now, we both know that your arrogance is as much a mask as mine." The unknown figure replied.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Of course you don't," the unknown figure murmured. "But I do know that, while Ranger was camped at the fire during her self-appointed solo mission, you were there - and had the chance to kill her. And yet she still lives."

"She was grieving the loss of her apprentice. It seemed wrong to put an end to her life as she was doing so. I have some dignity. Unlike you."

"Your attempts at insulting me are failing miserably. Just in case you were unaware of the fact."

"And I'm fairly certain that we'll never have a single conversation without someone starting an argument."

"Why didn't you kill Ranger when you had the chance? You don't exactly have a reputation for mercy - I'm curious as to why it occurred." The unknown figure pressed.

"I already told you. She was grieving the death of a person she cared about. If I was in her place, I wouldn't have wanted to die without first being able to give respect to my fallen companion."

The unknown figure snorted. "You've gone soft. For an assassin, you're far too noble for my liking."

Wraith's eyes flashed, and for a second, a dangerous glint was visible in them. "If you want to criticize me or my profession, I recommend first asking yourself if you feel like experiencing my combat style again. I won't bother saving your life a second time."

"I'll make note of it."

~

"I'm bored."

Ranger groaned internally. "Of course you are. Just be quiet."

"Hey. Ranger. Ranger. Hey Ranger. Ranger hey. Hey. Hey Ranger. Hey Ranger-"

"What in the world could you possibly want now?"

"To be let out of your head for once."

Ranger stared at the wall, determined not to reply. This wasn't an argument Red would win. She would make sure of that.

"Ranger. Ranger. Ranger. Ranger. Ranger. Ranger. Ranger. Ranger. Ranger. Ranger. Ranger. Ranger. Ranger. Ranger. Ranger. Ranger. Ranger. Ranger. Ranger. Ranger. Ranger. Ranger. Ranger. Ranger."

It took enormous effort of will not to reply, but somehow the Ender managed it, zoning out entirely.

"Ranger. Ranger. Ranger. Ranger. Ranger. Ranger. Ranger. Ranger-"

The mind game was thankfully cut off by a guard entering the cell. Red went quiet, as she usually did when people were around. "Well, Ender, we have special orders from King Notch."

Another two guards stepped into the cell after the first, counting three in all. "To stop you from teleporting away and escaping, we've been commissioned to take away both your powers and Shadow's. You'll be turned into full humans."

Those words were met with a roaring silence in Ranger's head.

"So we're both going to be executed?" Ranger managed to get out, but she didn't trust herself to speak any more than simple sentences.

"That's right. This is just a precaution."

Through the roaring silence came the voice again. The fact that she could hear it while other people were nearby...this was just getting better and better.

"So when do you plan on letting me take control? I assume you're going to let me eventually, considering your head's going to be separated from your body within a week or so."

Throwing all her strength into keeping Red's voice silent left Ranger physically drained. She didn't - couldn't - protest when the three guards grabbed her and dragged her from the cell.