The Ashes of Time

Chapter 4

            After the knock sounds on her door, Qélla swirls around to open it slightly, trying to look as smooth as possible, as she attempts a sweet voice, "Lady Jason?"

Lady Monnette Jason stands just outside the door in her long blue dress with her hand on the tassels of her grey sash. Her gold snake bracelet spirals up her arm, harmonizing with the green snakes that form her hair. "Uh," she begins, as her other arm nervously plays with her dress behind her back. Qélla feels a slight twinge of impatience at the lady's lack of words, but fights her anger, trying to look cool as her tiger whimpers in the corner where Monnette cannot see. Monnette's eyes sweep over Qélla's face, as she continues, "You have a guest." There is a hint of confusion in her voice.

Qélla raises her eyebrows, also confused, considering the quarantine and that the only guests she had been expecting had already arrived, announced by Kelvex. In a momentary sense of panic she wonders if someone has found out that she created the curse or if the demons have found out that she made a mistake. She fights the urge to snap, "Who?" as Monnette's gaze shifts to the floor. She steps aside to reveal a young man in his early twenties with brownish blonde hair and grey eyes. He is dressed in tan pants and a white blouse with a tuxedo jacket, clothes that make him look out of date and defenceless, besides the mysterious gold chain hanging from his pocket, which despite seeming more antique in style is displayed as chains often were in the early twenty-first century. Still, it holds the look of something more, a glimmer that gives it almost the timeless look of gold itself.

She shivers, though she knows not why, as she glances over him again with no idea why he stands there and the feeling that she is in trouble. In the distance she hears the pattering of rain, likely extinguishing the fires that she intended to burn the corpses and stop the rise of undead. To others, the rain could be refreshing, including to the disgruntled citizens outside, but she knows it will only bring more zombies and more unrest. There is no end, she thinks, even if I were to actually try to find one. Some part of her thinks that is why she is willing to let them fall; she does not want to be part of a failing side, yet it is because she is already involved and because the disease is entirely her fault that she would even consider helping at all.

"Who?" she finally asks Monnette, and though she fights to make it sound as sympathetic as she can, the word merely echoes her sense of resignation. If she were deeply involved, she would never quit, but she was never committed to begin with, half-heartedly supporting the kingdom and that is why she considered such a deal with Harlesen.

Monnette looks uncertainly at the young man, "He says he wants to help." Qélla scoffs, almost forgetting her misgivings, but quickly regains her composure, brushing her hand down the side of the black tulle over-layer of her brown gown, as the rain continues to patter, distracting her once more and lengthening the awkward silence.

"Chess Delvingson," the man mutters, almost with an air of embarrassment. "That is my name," he adds quickly as his eyes drift across her face.

"Delvingson," Qélla ponders, thrilled to have something she can work with. She considers whether she has any Delvingsons in her collection of souls, but she knows she does not. The name sounds familiar, and after some thought she realizes it is the name of one of the faithful families, the ones who reject her kind. Some of them are even paladins, champions of defeating evil like her. She shivers unconsciously, but asks anyway, "Faithful or unfaithful?" Both Mr. Delvingson's and Monnette's eyes widen at her question, as if they are not really sure what she is asking or why. She sighs, and says slowly, "What is your source of expertise?"

"Technology," he whispers, unwilling to look at her, giving her the sense that he distrusts her. At least, he does not specialize as a paladin. She gazes straight into his eyes without blinking for a moment, almost compelling him to look at her, as she considers whether to ask the former question again, even knowing how poorly it will be received. "Faithful," he answers in a tone that suggests he is uncomfortable that she would even ask the question.