The Night Rider

Chapter 15

Celeste

My head I far away from the place and situation I'm in.  I would have loved nothing more than to accept Rafiki's offer, but I know that I will yearn for the past, more than ever.  My last flight on my own Nazu will also be the last flight I will ever make alone and on a Nazu.  It's how I decided then and how it will be now.

'Madam' I look up from my mind and look at the man standing in front of me, trying to interrogate us.  You'd think that the Queen and Opper would be the most powerful people on earth  and make all the choices, but the story is written differently.  The dawn is like the judges with the people, the ones looking for a few turns to bypass us and take us down.

They are the controllers of the supreme powers and look for every possibility to use their power.  I look at the man and try to remember what he asked me.  'Do you know about the murders and unpredictable fires? ' The man in his blue suit, and his just cut hair, looks at me with a hidden grin.

I get up from my chair and straighten my dress.  'Let me tell you again Lord, for us it's as much a question as it is for you'.  Nuri, Chea and Jamie sit behind me at the table, no one speaks a word.  'Why don't you know about this? Isn't it your job to protect the country from this calamity?' He has the courage to pronounce these words.

'I can assure you that our armies are investigating the threat.  However, we have yet to discover any further information.' I fold my hands before my belly and look at the man in wait.  He says nothing but lets his gaze glide through the room, searching.  'I see that the princess is absent.  I would also like to ask Your Highness a few questions.' 'You may ask them'.

I look up and see Rafiki standing in the doorway, just dressed in a blue dress and her hair neatly modeled.  I admire the speed with which she has dressed herself, she knew of the presence of dawn.  I let my gaze slide back to the man.  The man seems upset and all I can do is grin.

He puts himself back on his too high pedestal and stands up straight.  'Your Highness, if I may be so bold, are you familiar with the murders?' Rafiki doesn't leave a muscle and takes a few steps in the man's direction.  'Certainly, my lord.  I mourn the fallen and the suffering of their family.  We're busy tracing the man, but you understand that there are some delays' I marvel at how well this girl lets lies slip over her lips.

The man nods his head.  'I admire your compassion, Your Highness.  It's good to hear it's being taken care of.  You can understand that the citizens are afraid and would like to know the cause and see it disappear as soon as possible'.  Rafiki also nods her head as approval.  'I can assure you once again that we are busy looking for the cause.  You will be the first to hear, my lord'.

The man makes a bow to Rafiki and then to us.  'Thank you for your time, if you'll excuse m I can see Nuri standing up in the corner of my eye now.  'Thank you for coming' The man takes a final bow and is then led outside with his guards.  Everyone's eyes in the room are on Rafiki.  The power this girl has is unprecedented, both in magic and in appearance and words.

All four of us are waiting for an answer from Rafiki about the past situation, but she keeps looking out for herself.  I follow her gaze and see that he is focused on the white wall.  I don't understand her look and it soon becomes clear to me when I look back at Rafiki.  Her eyes are getting emty and you can see the consciousness sliding out of her body.

'David', The words leave my mouth just in time.  The young bodyguard rushes to Rafiki and catches her in time, to keep her from falling on the marble floor.  I rush to the boy who holds the defenseless girl in his arms.  He looks at me frightened and clearly doesn't know what to do.  I let my gaze go over Rafiki's face, her eyes closed.

'What's the matter?' I hear Nuri's worried voice behind me.  I let my gaze slide over Rafiki's body and let my eyes stop at her wrists.  For no reason I let my hand rest on her wrist and concentrate on her energy.  The next thing I feel I knew the existence of that, but not the intensity.

An intense pain runs through my body.  A pain that you effortlessly wish on your greatest enemy.  It burns as if the world is on fire.  Shocked, I let go of her wrist and try to grasp the feeling.  Rafiki has talked a few times in her life about pain in her lifelines, but not about its intensity.

If this is the pain with which she lives, I understand to the deepest point of my heart every murder that has been committed, if that gives her a second's rest.  'Take her to her room and stay with her until she wakes up' My command to the young bodyguard is clear.  He nods and leaves the room with Rafiki in his arms.

I look after him and try to sort everything out.  I try to come up with an excuse and find a way to stop it.  One thing is clearer to me than ever, Rafiki burning her lifelines in front of her.