Rebel

Twin Talks

Councilmen,
It is Zaila Hendrick, the girl you sent out to Toundrah. Well I found it and I have discussed with the leaders of Toundrah who are called the Assembly. They truly want to help us, but first they want to meet you all in order to move forward with everything. I expect your reply soon, just attach it to this bird and I will receive it. Please answer as soon as possible, we are waiting for you.

      I leaned back, placing the ink feather down beside my note. I looked over my small handwriting. "Is it good enough?" I asked, squinting down at it for the hundredth time. Nuvua peered over my shoulder, hands clasped behind his back.

  His thin lips pursed. "It could be structured better but this will do. We have no time to waste." Nuvua muttered. He plucked the letter from my hands, lifting his white eyebrows. I suppressed a sigh as I pushed myself from the chair.

              Nuvua was careful to sit, sweeping his thick robes under his legs. His wrinkled hands worked nimbly. It was evident that sealing letters was no stranger to him. His fluid movements caused me to almost feel dizzy from following his hands.

     The old Toundrahi leader rolled up the small piece of paper. With one hand holding it in place, the other reached for the drawer. He took out a small red cylinder, wrapped in a thin waxy looking paper. Nuvua untwisted it and held it over the nearest candle. The red cylinder began to melt, making me realize it was wax.

Nuvua plucked a small golden seal from his pocket and pressed it against the red wax. He quickly moved it away and placed it on the rolled up letter. Nuvua put the red wax down and blew on the designed seal on my letter.

              He blinked at me through his glasses. "It is done, child." Nuvua declared. "Now you may go. I will have it brought to Zattu and tied to a bird and sent out immediately." I nodded. "Thank you. But I want to come---"

Nuvua held up his hand, instantly silencing me.

     "I know your sick friend needs her daily meeting with you. Go. I will take care of it." He said. I hesitated, knowing Esmeralda could awake any day. But I knew Hussain and Valerya were there. I didn't want to face them again. Nuvua noticed my hesitation. He stood, the wooden chair scraping loudly.

"These past two days you've been a great help to the Assembly, Zaila. Thank you. But you are a child still. Your friends need you. Go with your friend at least today, don't come back until tomorrow." Nuvua said, giving me a curt nod. I opened my mouth to object but Nuvua waved me away.

              Siquem, who was silently standing at the door, came to life. He marched up to me, reaching to grab my arm when I moved away from his grasp.

"I can show myself out." I growled.

. . .

Cassiopeia wasn't an ugly baby.

The more and more I stared at her chubby face, I recognized some of Esmeralda's features. The baby had light green eyes and long beautiful lashes. Yes. Definitely from her mother. But Cassiopeia's cute round nose wasn't. Esmeralda had a straight nose, medium sized nostrils.

          I glared down at the baby. Those features most have been from her father, whoever the hell decided to force himself on Esmeralda. My arms threatened to drop the baby from disgust as I realized she was a product from rape. But then I quickly shook my head.

  Guilt overlapped my quick anger. Cassiopeia didn't have any fault in it. She was only two days old. I hugged her small sleeping form tightly against my chest, giving her a small kiss of the cheek. The sudden movement caused her to slowly crack her eyes open. She yawned, nuzzling into my chest.