The Mirror Guardian

Chapter Five: I'm Sorry, But You Need What Now?

Mailee had found her chambers rather quickly than most of the others. Unfortunately, it's only four doors down from where Soren will be staying and too close to her liking as well. From the outside it looks dark, ancient and creepy. Large and small stones and carved pillar makes up most of the door's outer structure with a metal door.

Mailee put the key into the keyhole, turning the key, and entering to be welcomed by the aromas of roasted meats and sweet scented tea with mixed plants. It seems to Mailee even though it was past 10pm, the chef still managed to welcome everyone with a nice dinner or meal. A small smile crawled onto her lips as she spots the said meal on a side table near the window as she shuts the door behind her.

As she walked to her meal she took in her main chamber where her bed lays. The room was charming and warm, but ancient looking as it was on the outside. The walls are covered in photo paintings of personal achievements; all related from the looks of it the same person. Some of them were a woman happy, others simply of different places in different times. Dark furniture such as black bookshelves, bed frame, and dressers or maybe even be a rich type of wood like cherrywood.

A hundred years old looking desk, candle lantern, a few silver pens, and a few dark leather bounded books sitting on top. On one wall stood a book shelf but instead of books it halberd herbs and liquids of some kind's potions. The chamber pretty much down right looks like a healers or someone of higher power's room. On the wall facing the full king size bed was a enormous silver mirror with a serpent around the rim of the mirror itself. A small table and chair stood near a large window that over looked out towards the vast forest of the unknown.

A knock was heard from the other side of the door that broke Mailee's thoughts. With a heavy sigh, she got up from her small chair and walked over to the door, opening it, she saw Soren standing there. Before for she could question him, he just walks right into her chambers without asking permission as if he owns the place or that he has every right to her privacy.

"Yes, come right on in Soren. I'm not doing anything right now that is important." She really wasn't other than about to enjoy a nice warm meal before getting some rest, but he doesn't need to know that. "What is it that you need, Soren? I don't have all night with your silly games." Mailee went straight to the point after she shuts her chamber's doors so that no one else could hear their conversation. One can never be too sure.

"Always straight to the point I see, Mailee. Very well, I need you to give me one of your tears." Soren revealed on his late visit to her chambers. Mailee just looked at him as if she couldn't tell if he was being serious or not.

"I'm sorry, but you need what now?" Mailee knitted her eyebrows together trying to comprehend on what Soren just demanded of her.

"A tear," but then Soren had turned his eyes upwards as if he had a second thought on something and then added, "A phoenix tear more than anything."

"Why?" She tried to elaborate her confusion on why she had to do so. She watched as Soren pulled out his list of challenges from his best and handed to her. She took the paper and started to read over it as she read Soren spoke as if it was obvious to why he needed it.

"It's number 5 on my list. If you have anything else on this list then give it to me too. Remember you're here to help me and nothing more." Mailee saw that she had a few things that were on his list, however that doesn't mean she was going to give them to him without a price. She walked over to her meal and picked up her list of challenges as well and compared the two. A few things were different and some was the same.

"For a tear, I want some of your blood in exchange." Mailee bargained with Soren leaving out the other items on his list. She can't make it too easy for him now can she. She watched the corner of his mouth quirked up before he spoke.

"What number is that? Do you have anything to put it in?"

"Number 3. Here." Mailee's mouth was set in a hard line as she handed him a small flask from her bag along with a small needle point blade. As he sliced one of his fingers and filled the flask, Mailee took out one of her red gems from her side braid. Once Soren was finished they exchanged items. "Can't you ever do anything on your own?" Mailee mocked Soren as she placed the flask in her bag for safe keeping.

"I found the tear," Soren answered defensively at her mocking as he placed the gem into his vest pocket.

"Nice try. You knew that I had them way before this even started." Mailee counter back at him as she went back to her meal. "Are we done? I don't want my warm heal to get cold on my."

"Of course, we don't want that dear sister. It would be a shame for it to go to waste now that we are pretty much humans with these cursed bindings on your wrists. Do take care for the next few days after all we don't know what might happen," Soren bowed as he gave her a fire warning, however to her it was more like a threat.

"Soren?" Mailee stopped him at the door when he had opened it.

"What is it now?" Soren impatiently asked as he was ready to shut the door.

"What is power to you?" Mailee's time was too serious to Soren as he heard her question.

"I won't keep you any longer, but the answer is fear and strength." Soren didn't even hesitate on his answer as he shuts the door behind him leaving Mailee and Nooroo by them selves for the night.

"Amadan. Is e dìlseachd a th 'ann. (Fool. It's loyalty.)" Mailee muttered as she started to eat. It didn't take long for Nooroo to chirp for Mailee's attention.

Mailee watched Nooroo raise her right hand with the palm towards Mailee, one finger fully stretched, one finger half clenched and the other three fully clenched is a gesture that conveys the equivalent of 'I feel your pain'. Mailee have her tiny friend a small lopsided grin in appreciation for her support. "Tapadh leibh, Nooroo. Tha gaol agam ort cuideachd. (Thank you, Nooroo. I love you too.)." Nooroo beamed at her as she gave a tight closed eye smile as they ate before heading to bed.