Immortal Ballad *ON HOLD*

Continue/The Change

"Oh shut up!" Alecxa said. "She's a servant, she cant look at you like that. Its not appropriate."

"Maybe so, but you do it too!" Irial said laughing.

"I-what?" Gently, Alecxa took the towel off. The cuts were no longer bleeding. Using a new towel, she wet it alittle and scrubbed lightly again.

"You look at me like that."

"Di nuovo I ask, Im I not allowed too?"

"As long as I don't get beaten again you are." Irial sighed. "Which reminds me, what was the deal you made with your father?"

"Oh brother! I forgot to tell you didn't I? Father agreed to fund us if we still love each other by one months time." Irial sat up on his elbow.

"Will he let us marry?"

"Yes! Can you believe that? He will even give us money to start with!" Irial was not as excited as she thought he'd be. "What's wrong brother?"

"What if your feelings change?" He tilted his head and looked down.

"But I wont," began Alecxa. "I know I wont. I will always be yours, body and soul. I swear brother."

"Even with Marckus in the picture?"

"What picture?" she asked. "Marckus is just father's friend, nothing else."

"Promessa?" He asked.

"I promise." She placed her hand on his cheek, carressing him lightly with her thumb. Irial blinked and then nodded. Alecxa removed her hand and stood to retrieve the bag of herbs. In it, the herbs were unfamiliar to her. Dae must know how to use them.

"When you get Dae," Irial said. "be sure to apoligize." He sat up on the bed and went to the mirror, slowly.

How did he know what I was thinking?- thought Alecxa.

"I'll be back then..." she said.

The Change

Alecxa walked out of the room and was about to go down the stairs, when she heard shouting. Her father's voice and ... Marckus'? Alecxa hid by the wall on the stop stairs where she could hear but not seen by them.

"I will not!" said her father. "Absolutely not!"

Marckus stepped forward. Alecxa could see he was dressed differently then earlier. Rather unusual for the times, he wore an all white outfit. Even the shoes were white. His dark hair was tied back in a pony tail and he stood straight as a board. Briefly, he looked at the stairs. Alecxa gasped, thinking she'd been caught. Instead, Marckus said, "Fine, but you'll see my point of view very soon!"

Alecxa waited for Marckus to leave and counted to 10 before walking down the stairs. Lorenzo, too engrossed in his own thoughts, didn't see Alecxa coming down the stairs. She mumbled a "Hello," she waited a few seconds for his response. "Father?" He didn't even turn to her direction. When she turned to the kitchen, her shoes scuffled on the floor, and her father finally turned.

"Hello, My daughter." He said looking surprised. He stood and went into his study mumbling to himself and nodding.

Wondering what that had been about, Alecxa almost ran into Dae.

"Oh, im sorry miss."

"Dont worry ... about it." Alecxa looked back and nodded to herself. Whatever they had been shouting about it was non of her business. "I actually need your help."

Dae smiled. "What may I help you with?:

"I need help with the hearbs you brought. I dont know how to used them." Alecxa admitted. "Could you teach me?"

"Of course, miss. I would love too!" Dae smiled. Alecxa looked at her and thought, I wonder why she isn't married? She's pretty enough and nice too.

"Thank you. I want to apoligize for... yelling at you earlier." Dae looked down.

"You dont have to apoligize. If I may say something?" Alecxa signaled for her to continue, "Should'nt you change before your dress gets ruined?"

"Si, I should." She looked down at her dress. There were drops of blood on it. "I-yea. I'll do that. Lets go upstairs, while I change you start on the herbs."