On the Wrong Side

Chapter 4

Myerdden and Emalin were working in Caradan's chambers while he was out. They were completing their chores for his rounds. Myerdden decided that he could trust this half-faerie girl with the mind link.

"Emalin," the voice startled her.

"Who is that?" she asked out loud.

"It's Myerdden."

"You can talk?"

"Sorta. This is the mind link."

"Oh. I've heard of that."

Thought you might've. Try it."

"How?"

"Imagine searching for a presence. Imagine waves."

Emalin tried and almost instantly got it.

"Is this you?"

"Yes. Don't do this with everyone. I'm actually surprised you got it so quickly. My brother took forever." The compliment brought a soft smile to her face but his words confused her. He was the last Egesa.

"Should we use the notebook around other people?" Emalin wanted to know if this was a permanent solution to talking or not.

"Depends if the matter is private. I don't want others to read it."

"Okay. Alright." They dropped the link for a few minutes before Emalin began asking about his night terrors.

"Myerdden?"

"Yes?"

"What are the night terrors about?" His face bore the expression of shock and fear. He knew exactly what she was talking about. The terrors were often about those he killed or from the arrack on his village. From the first murder to the most recent, he remembered all of them. But he couldn't go sharing this information with Emalin, especially inside the castle. He could refuse to speak, but that would spike a reaction from Emalin.

"Emalin, please don't ask that." He was almost begging her.

"Why? It'll help to tell someone."

"Emalin. Please. I'd rather not remember it." They continued for a while before Emalin finally gave up trying to get an answer. She would get one later. They finished their chores in silence before stopping for lunch.

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Caradan came in quickly after they had eaten while they were organizing the shelves. Emalin went over and spoke with him but Myerdden had no interest in listening. He was lost in his own thoughts. So he paid no attention to it. Only when they called him over did he realize that he should have paid more attention to their conversations.

"Myerdden," Caradan's voice calm voice broke the silence. Myerdden looked up to show that he was listening.

"Come here. We've got something to tell you." Myerdden's hear was starting to beat faster and panic was growing in his chest. 'What are they going to do? Have they figured out my plan? Are they going to pry answers from me? That happened once. I almost died.'

"You may want to have a seat." He took a seat before looking warily up at Emalin and Caradan.

"Myerdden, are you an Egesa?" This came from Caradan as Emalin already knew the answer. He suspected Caradan knew he was one as well. The question was still a slight shock even though he knew it was obvious he was one. He knew he could trust these people, so he slowly nodded. Caradan's face held no surprise as he started his tale.

"I'm sure you've heard of the Egesa slaughter." The words made Myerdden's blood boil. 'How dare they mention that. How dare they bring up those memories, the feelings of hopelessness and cowardice.'