Rising Smoke

Chapter Nine

The sun shining in my face and the birds chirping outside don't lighten up my dark mood. I stare up at the painted ceiling. It's so nice in here. I didn't really notice before, being busy with other things. Like fighing for my life. But everything in this room screams a rich and fabulous life. Duh, 'cause I have one. Wow narcissistic much? I shake my head and narrow my eyes.

So we prepare for war. Those words keep ringing around in my head in Arlen's dark, ominous voice. What am I to do? That's another questoin ringing in my head. I was never prepared for this. I was taken away at a young age, when things were still normal. I haven't had to deal with ruling a country or how to use my powers. I'm completely clueless. I sigh.

I push the covers back, lay there for a moment before sitting up. I place my bare feet on the wood floor and stand up, scrubbing a hand over my face. Brushing the tangled mess that is my hair, I pace to the vanity. I place my hands on top and stare at my reflection. There's bags underneath my eyes, my hair's a mess, and the fear in my eyes is unmistakable. It's there and very real. 

War... Will ruin us, especially with Malakai, the leader of the Slithes. Strong and very evil, he will be hard to defeat. Considering I have had no experience fighting or otherwise war like stuff. I take in a shuddering breath and let it out in a whoosh. I glance around my vanity, filled with useless knicknacks that won't give me any ideas on how to destroy Malakai. There's no doubt about that. He needs to be taken down. He's too powerful to be able to continue on.

He used to be not so powerful. My father was able to control him or put him back in place. He was around before I was, he's practically immortal. He was weak when I was younger, but with my father's illness and my mother going along with him, he was able to gain enough power to start getting more and more followers, the Slickes. I shudder. Those things are the worst creature out there. Completely driven by their desire to destroy, they have massacered so many villages and townsfolk. Fortunately they are only very few of them out there. Like in the hundreds. Easy for us to keep them in check. But with a powerful enough master they can redirect their destructiveness to someone else. Someone who their master wants to destroy. Like me. But they didn't come here to destroy me. They said they wanted to bring me back to their master, Malakai. But why would he want me? Why not just kill me point blank? 

Maybe he wants to kill you himself, my subconscious whispers to me. But that doesn't make any sense. I push away from the vanity, turn, and stare out my window. It's a beautiful day, but I can see dark clouds rolling in from the East. I smirk. That is just so... foreboding. Becuase the east is where Malakai lives. Or resides. I don't believe he actually lives. He's too soulless to be able to just live. 

Why would he want me brought to him? Wouldn't I be more of use to him dead? I mean, I am the one with the most power to destroy him. But it's not a gurantee that I can take him out. And just like that an old memory fills my mind. Smoke, chanting, heat, and smell of something dying. Whispered words, You'll be the one with the power to destroy him. Tread wisely, my dear.

Obviously, him has to be Malakai, right?

Just as quickly as it comes, it vanishes from my mind, even though I am desparately trying to find it in my memories. I stand there, digging around in my head for anything to do with that voice ricocheting around my head and nothing comes. I ball my hands into fists. Agghhh! Everything is useless. How am I going to save my people, when I can't even save myself from him? He's going to keep looking for me, destroying everyone and anyone in his path to make sure I go down.

I'm too much of a threat for him to let me live. I have too much power. I know I have a lot of power. Wait, does he mean to take my power? Is that why he sent the Slithes to come and retrieve me, to bring me back to him, so he can suck the only power I have over him? 

Yes. He does. What other reason could there be for him wanting to get me?

Well, he's never going to get me. With a new determination, I stalk to my closet and pull sturdy pants and shirts out untill I find a good outfit. I lay it on my bed and strip down to clean myself. Yesterday, they put me in a tub to wash me, but I don't know why since we have showers in this castle. Humans are good for their very handy innovations. Like cell phones. Those are pretty nifty things and cars, I like those too. Too bad we don't have anything like cell reception here. Man cell phones make life so much easier.

Ahhh, it feels good to get rid of the sweat and dirt that accumulated over the course of my stay here. The warm water pounds on my back, massaging the tension that has built up over time. After some time, I sigh, turn off the water, and step out of the shower. 

Once I'm dressed, I lace up my feet with some sturdy boots and walk out of the room. Then my stomach growls, so I go looking for food. As I walk to don't see anyone out, which worries me. The lights have been lit and the place looks freshly cleaned, so someone must have been here. Using my memory, I take the routes that will lead my to the center part of the castle, like the ballroom, kitchen and entryway. Since on the sides are made up of bedrooms and other rooms.

I catch a whiff of something and follow it to the ballroom, where many long wooden tables have been laid out. All sorts of people are piled there, eating and discussing. But underneath the delicious aroma of food, I smell something metallic. I take a big breath in and choke. Blood. But where is it coming from? I look around the room untill I see a closed door behind all the tables in the corner. Ignoring my growling stomach, I make my way towards it.

As I pass, everyone stops and stares, some bowing their heads, some not. But mostly it's with a shock and awe on their faces. I try to nod my head to each, but there's too many of them to do that, so I pass by, picking up my pace untill I reach the door.

"I wouldn't go through there, m'lady." I turn my head toward the deep, gruff voice. It was loud like a gunshot in the quiet room. He was about middle-aged and looked like he had just come from battle. A bandaged wrapped around his head, coated with dried blood. He stood not a mere ten feet away from me, yet I could tell his eyes held intelligence and sadness. He's pointing to the door behind me. "Nasty stuff in there. No need for you to be bothered with it. It's being handeld as we speak." He nods his head at this, as if his words ring true. Some of the others around him nod their heads as well.

He continues speaking, "Why don't you find a seat and let us bring some food for you. You must be starving."

"Are Conran and Arlen in there?" I speak up finally. If they're in there, then I want to be in there.

'"Yes, m'lady, they are." I turn back to the door. "But I don't think they want you to see what is behind those doors. And besides, it's locked." At that point I had turned the knob to find that it is indeed locked.

I squeeze the handle tight once, before letting go. I turn to find the whole room staring at me. Taking a deep breath, I walk over to the man who spoke.

"What is your name?" I ask him, while taking a seat to where they had pointed out for me.

"Gruffin. Royal Captain Aleci Granndon Gruffin." He stood tall and proud as he said this. "And it is an honor to finally meet who I will be serving, Your Majesty." He then bows deep and low, well as low as he can by the table.

I wave him off, "No need for the 'Your Majesty' around here. Just call me Leila." I look around the room, trying to stare into everyone's eyes. "That goes for everyone."

Say what you want about me, but I care for my people and want to give them the best. I am not above them in any way. I guess living in America for over a decade changes your mind about how things should be run. Oh, those humans.

Everyone is still staring at me when food is placed upon my stable. My stomach growls again and I practically smash my face against the plate trying to get the food into my mouth as fast as possible. By the time I'm finished, everyone has resumed doing what they were doing before I came into the room.

"Ok." I address the men and women around me, wiping my face with a napkin. "Tell me what has happened."