The Marble Tower

-33-

It was Iris that Mystery Girl Gravitated towards in the morning. She and Robyn had shared a passing glance, hers of worry, maybe fear, his of nervousness. He hadn't expected her to follow them. He had expected her to go find a guard or go back to her room or something like that. He didn't know why she was here or what she was doing. And he didn't like it.

What was she doing here?

It seemed that he wasn't the only one with questions about the new girl. Even Raquel looked uncomfortable now that she was out of the tent.

And looking at the way she angled herself away from the weary stares that she also knew what they thought about her. Though whether her uncomfort towards this fact was due to wicked intentions or not. He didn't know. And he felt powerless because of it.

Mira was nowhere to be seen. Which was strange.

Though he wasn't sure how he felt about her trusting Iris so much. Though she did save his life, he didn't know if he could trust her entirely. Though I suppose that she saved her life too, and she didn't hear what he heard.

He shook it off and started packing up his tent with the rest of them.

It wasn't till he was loading them on his saddle when he heard the first of the introductions being shared.

"Good morning Miss..." It was Charles. Robyn through a glance over his shoulder, pausing for a minute. Even Iris looked curiously at our newest member, waiting for a name to go with the face.

She seemed uncomfortable standing there. She shifted a bit away from Charles. Just a suttle shifting of the feet, but everyone noticed it. It was unusually silent in the camp. Like it was holding its breath waiting for an answer. She made a quickly glance at Iris. A bird chirped in the distance.

"I'm..." She swept another desperate glance at Iris. Waited a minute, then took a shaky breath, "Aalyiah." she said mustering a smile, and even going as far as to stick her had out for a hand shake.

Charles, seemingly unfazed by her hesitation and discomfort, took her hand and- to almost everyone's surprise- turned it ever so slightly and gave it a kiss, "Miss Aaliyah, what a pleasure to meet you."

"A-and, an- nd, you as well."

"Thank you, I do hope that you find yourself... comfortable in our company."

"Wh- why wouldn't I b- be?"

Robyn stopped and looked at Charles. He seemed, dangerous right now. He had never talked to any of them like that, at least not in such a public display. In fact nothing had been in such a huge display since his speech at the old house. What was so special about her to bring on something like that?