Half Complete

Interlude

The doors slammed loudly as Ciaran went out. Steffan sat down, head in his arms. Ciel was still, deathly so.

"Why?Why didn't you tell me?" Steffan flinched. "Why did you lie to me if you knew before,huh?And I thought that I could trust you."He gave a hollow laugh. "You are just like everyone else, telling lies and expecting me to believe .But you can't do anything, you're just an incompetent puppet."

To my relief Lydia arrived. "What's going on here?" She frowned at Ciel and felt his forehead."Rest Child, You have a fever . Now drink this and sleep, You'll hurt yourself"She gently put a cup in his hands. "Is it poison to kill me?"He asked harshly.

"Now don't be ridiculous and drink it, else you'll be stuck in this bed forever."Lydia put the cup to his lips and made him drink. Ciel swayed and she made him lay on the bed. He seemed to have fallen asleep. She stared at us."Now I don't have the authority to question your actions, sire but please don't agitate the boy too much. Now I'll be on my way. " She said and went off.

"Well?" "Not a word, Clarie. I just proved that I am the arrogant man you claim me to be, right? I am sorry I couldn't protect you both. I had no idea Ciaran could be so cruel. I will take my leave too. I hope the boy feels better" He mumbled and stiffly bowed before moving away..

I groaned and flopped down on the bed. Well this is a fine kettle of fish. I don't know what to feel, being given to Ciaran like a bunch of slaves. I didn't know whether to punch the guy or join his creepy group. But his face.... I couldn't get it out of my head. It didn't seem human at all. And to think he got it due to the last king..... who was the one who had blinded Ciel. And poor Ciel, just when he was getting better.

I felt angry. It just wasn't fair. Maybe we were cursed after all. My ankle throbbed .It was wound tightly. That creepy man would have to wait till we were healed to join his group. I didn't look forward to the wait, though. My body ached and as my excitement ebbed away I was seized by a deep fatigue. I sighed and closed my eyes as I fell into a deep dreamless sleep.

            My ankle slowly healed. Ciel refused to speak of Steffan. "If he doesn't want to be associated with me then who am I to question his decisions." He had remarked when I had confronted him.  My sister came to visit us regularly. The first time she had broken down, sobbing on my shoulder that she had failed me. She had also whispered something in Ciel's ear, that made him stiffen.

                  He refused to tell me and we had got into a huge fight over it. But still time passed and soon his fever healed and his ribs were almost completely mended.  My ankle healed as well and I could walk without limping .The king hadn't come to see us after the incident and  Ciaran or his creepy lackeys didn't show up either.

         It was peaceful and quiet but my mind was never at ease .No one gave us any news about my father's province as well. Not a word about the queen or even Mary who I had trusted so much. But the infirmary was always quiet,peaceful with Lydia flittering about and the occasional soldier that came by.

               It was a calm day and we were bored. Ciel was interested in Ciaran and would always ask more about him and his organization. I was sitting on his bed, letting the sun light from the huge windows fall on my face. I told him about the mask and his horrible scarred face. And also described the snake lady and that huge man. Ciel had winced,rubbing his ribs. "He can punch well alright. We were lucky it was dark else he would have pulverized us" Suddenly his tone turned grave

        "We'll have to join them,but we'll be vary. It's made up of people like us,right? If we are not accepted there then we'll never be accepted anywhere."

      "Well then have you forgiven Will?" I asked
"Huh?" Ciel appeared confused.

            I sniggered. "You had attacked him like some rabid dog. You clutched his throat and banged his head on the wall"
          He looked mortified. "I did what?" He was usually a calm person and was the one who pulled me away from fights. "Well I think you were delirious with fever so don't be too depressed you acted courageous for once" my tone light.

         "Why you?" He laughed and pounced on me. I was laughing as I hit back in retaliation.  "Um....  excuse me for the interruption" a voice suddenly said.

                   I gasped and turned. Will stood before is, a blush on his face and hands covering his eyes."It's nothing like that!" I stuttered, face as red as his.

      "What's happening? Why are you here?" Ciel asked. Will took a step back, eyeing the blind boy warily. He seemed to be still afraid of Ciel and looked as though he expected Ciel to attack him.

        "Well spit it out" I said. He cleared his throat." The boss wants you both to come join us soon. He believes that you are sufficiently recovered and that you must start training immediately. "He played with the cuff of his shirt, looking really uncomfortable.
                 
                             " And I'm sorry I hurt you two. It's just that my sister and I" he chocked, his voice tight. "We were from  Tourmaline province and my family were artists. My parents were planning to come to the capital to sell their wares. My sister and I were kids. We were....  were attacked by bandits. They killed my parents and tried to capture my sister. I got in the way and they cut off my leg" he clutched his pants and showed the wooden stump instead of his right leg. "If they hadn't interfered in time , I would be dead and my sister sold off as a slave. So please.... I owe Ciaran and I had to obey him" his eyes were downcast.

                            I couldn't imagine gentle Lydia as a slave." Ciaran seems to do good but his methods seem questionable. Anyway I'm sorry for punching you , I guess I was a little too much wound up. " Ciel said.

               "But what do you people actually do? There are so many tales of the king's spies that I don't know what to believe. And after getting attacked by that huge lump of a man I wonder what all type of people are there?"

      "And that snake lady was so strange. She honestly gave me the creeps" I added.

           "I can't tell you guys myself.  Wait and everything will be explained. " He paused.

    There was a knock on the door. I held my breath as Steffan entered, his face impassive with my sister behind him....

         Hi! Hope you liked the chapter. Last month was my exams and hence I couldn't update. This ch is dedicated to Afnan2727 and lynndoodle for taking time to read this story. It truly means a lot to me. And so please vote and comment!