Legends of Magnoria

Chapter Sixteen ~ Loose Ends Tied Up

Ace unlocked the mansion's front door and he, Atalo and Bailey all scrambled inside as quick as possible. Atalo's skin had goosebumps allover it and he was freezing cold. The warmth from inside could only do so much.

"Everyone's asleep, right?" Bailey inspected a picture on the wall, then went towards a large grandfather clock. "This place is nice and quaint. It feels protectively warm here."

"It is," Ace mumbled. He knocked on the wall, looking at Atalo and forcing a smile.

"Atalo!" He was caught off guard quickly, as a pair of arms wrapped around his neck quickly and a face buried itself into his shoulder. "Oh Atalo! I'm so glad to see you again!" Serena cried.

Ace and Bailey stared at them. Atalo slowly returned the hug, patting Serena's back with his left hand. "Are you OK?" He asked, feeling her tail brush up against his leg.

"A Meif'wa ..." Bailey muttered, looking astounded. Serena looked at her and tilted her head.

"Who's this?" She asked, staring directly at her. Bailey twiddled her thumbs together.

"This is Bailey," Atalo answered. He hid his right arm in his pocket. Nothing needed to be seen of it.

"From ... that are?" Serena quirked an eyebrow at her curiously. "Are you sure that's ... you know ... the best idea?" Bailey smiled awkwardly.

"I'm just an ordinary person. I mean no harm, I promise. I haven't a weapon on me." She raised her hands into the air. "You can check if you'd like." Serena stared at her with an expression of confusion.

"I believe you," Serena whispered. "But I suggest you talk to Nero tomorrow. You too, Atalo. He's worried about us all right now." Atalo faked a cough to cover up his disbelieving laugh, and then, "Your arm!"

"Uh ..." Atalo tried to pull it back, but Serena had already taken hold of it began to stare at it in wild fear.

"Your arm ..." She repeated. "Your arm ... It's ..." Tears had begun to form in Serena's eyes. Atalo was speechless. He hadn't a clue of what to say.

"I patched him up best I could ..." A tone of guilt was in Bailey's voice.

"I suggest you take him to Madge," Ace mumbled. "I'll get Bailey a room for the night, then I'll check in on Amy —" Atalo's heart skipped a beat suddenly

"Amy!" Atalo exclaimed. "She's here? Safe? Can I see her?" Ace shook his head.

"Not in a good state," Ace informed him. "I've never seen her like this, Atalo. She was asleep when I left a couple of hours ago, so she is still asleep ... Go see Madge."

"Right now," Serena ordered. She took hold of his hand and dragged him down a hallway. They passed by the staircase, and Atalo stared at it, thinking of Amy.

"Wouldn't Madge be sleeping?" Atalo asked in a low whisper. "I can see her in the morning. First thing, right?" Serena shook her head irritably.

"No. She's still awake, she just came out of her room to get a cup of tea." They came to a halt and Serena banged furiously on the door.

"What?" Madge hissed as the door opened. She looked just as awake as anyone else did in the day time. "Oh — Atalo!" A look of relief washed across her face.