Aimee Marseille knows something is wrong when she is summoned quickly to return home. Upon her father's death, she finds startling news about the family's secret. Mechanical knights walk the countryside, an odd woman who seems to know more than she...
Muzay paced about, his feet having worn a path in the undergrowth of the woods as he paced about. "She should've returned by now.It's been 52 hours and seven minutes. She should've only taken 22hours to reach the canopy, an hour perhaps two or search for the weapon, and 22 on her return. That leaves six hours unaccounted for."
Narit shrugged from the felled tree trunk she sat upon. She twirled the leaf she had in her hand twice as she responded, "Maybes he got lost."
He stopped and stared at her, his eyes seeming as though they would cut through her given the chance. "I know my timing and even if I give her a generous window to operate in, it still doesn't compute. There is something wrong."
"What do you want to do?" She tossed the leaf to the side and leaned forward with her elbow pressed into her thighs. "I don't want to climb up there. It's just...high." She shook her head.
"We can't stay here and wait. There's no chance of me getting much further than a few limb before I'm unable to hop further. It seems in this scenario you are the only one capable of this, as much as I hate to admit." He looked upwards once more, shaking his head as he did so.
Taking a deep breath, Narit stood from her position and said, "Let's do it. Before I realize how high it is and decide to run in the other direction which is looking much more appealing at this point." She bit her lip as she stood there fidgeting, her hands at her side drumming against her thigh as she tried keeping her wits about herself.
"We can-" Before he finished uttering his concern, a thud sounded behind him.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Aimee landed on the ground, not as graceful as she wanted yet at least she hadn't harmed herself in the process. Her legs felt as though they barely remained connected to her body. The last several limbs had seemed to take ages for her to conquer.
She looked over and saw Muzay and Narit staring at her. She frowned for a moment before realizing what they were looking at. "I had a bit of a scuffle up there," she stated as she wiped her scratched hands against her clothing. There were small stains which would never be removed as a reminder of her altercation.
Muzay spoke with a ting in his voice, "What happened there? Were you injured? Are there more of those creatures up there? I swear, if they laid hands upon you I will peck at their eyes until they are blinded from attacking the daughter of my king."
She raised her hands, showing off the scratches upon her palms."You wouldn't believe it. There was a massive eagle at the top which decided I looked like someone they needed to destroy."
"An eagle would've killed you? Oh my goodness. Ripped into pieces by some mangy creature in a tree that knows nothing beyond what it's base animal instincts are." Muzay stepped backwards,muttering to himself in a low voice as he did so. His head bent, he continued staring downwards as though chastising himself over and over for his indiscretion for not being there.
He abruptly stopped and asked apprehensively, "Did you find what you were looking for? Was this venture of yours worth it?"
She reached at her side and produced the weapon. It scored itself several times while in her possession but at least it seemed to remain in the same condition as she found it. "This is it. This is the spear they talked about."
Looking at it in the light now, it seemed like nothing more than a simple scrap of metal she could've find anywhere else. Likely there were hundreds of these slivers wasting in the nearest alley, rusting into nothingness. Hopefully it was worth it. She wanted to ensure these Visgins allowed them safe passage through their region.
His neck craned, raising itself once more as he walked towards her. It zoomed in closer. "Do you mean to tell me after risking your life that's all you have to show for it?"
'We also have the support of the Visgin people. That's an important thing we needed."
"They're tiny and insignificant. You risking yourself for them shows you have no concept of what truly is important in this world."He lowered his head as though his point having been made.
Narit pepped in, "It looks nice." She shrugged at Aimee as though to say she tried to defuse the temper tantrum which Muzay was in the midst of.
With a sigh, Aimee moved in closer towards Muzay and took a knee in front of him. "I know you were worried about me. That's what all of this is about."
He looked at her, his golden eyes striking into hers. "If you died, there would be no one with claim to the throne. These people would have to be under the tyrannical rule of Stanton for much too long. They would feel despair with every step. You can't do this."
"I had to help them."
"There will always be people who need help. Someone who needs you to step in. Do you plan on constantly risking your life?" He issued his challenge.
She smiled at him. "Always. That's the way I was raised."
He opened his mouth to protest yet shut it as quickly as he did.He found his voice and responded with, "Next debacle like this and I'll find someone else to help claim rulership of Glass Star. Perhaps her." He gestured with his metallic wind towards Narit.
Narit quickly shook her head, bringing her hands in front of her. "No. You can't make me. Never. Why?"
"It's okay," Aimee said, raising her hand in both direction to calm them. "I'll be fine. Next time, I'll bring along Muzay. He can always peck them if need be."
"I'll give them a pecking all right," he said in a mumble."For now, let's bring the blade to them, say our good-byes, and be on our way. The more time we spend here, the more Stanton convinces someone to join her side." He strutted off. From the way he carried himself, one would've thought he fought against the giant eagle.
As Muzay disappeared from their sight, Narit turned to Aimee and said in a low, near whisper, "That was very brave of you. I don't think I could've done something like that."
Aimee shook her head. "I believe you could've. Don't let things scare you into not trying them." She smiled as she looked at the blade remaining in her hand. It worked for her this time.
