When Time Stops Ticking

I

Then sun is warm on my back as we walk. We are lucky to be chosen to be in the imperial army. You must have certain abilities I am a map maker and my instructors say I'm the best in my class but my maps never look right to me.

The feeling of strong arms wrapping around my waist and lifting me up pulls me out of my daze. Whoever it was that picked me up sets me down."You almost fell." I turn to be faced with a tall, muscled, brunette male with gorgeous blue eyes. "What were you thinking about, Stells?"

I quickly write 'Must you frighten me like that, Mils?' Mikeel and I have been best friends since we were in diapers.

"Well that's what I'm here for."

'Yes of course, I almost forgot.' I straighten my green tunic and glare at Mikeel.

"Have I angered you? Why must you keep up this charade of being mute?"

I shake my head, 'No, you haven't angered me. And I am 'mute' because it makes things so much easier for me.'

He sighs and shakes his head,"Okay, fine but you could at least talk to me."

'We are walking with the imperial army and both of our higher ups could pass at anytime and I would much rather not speak. They shouldn't have let me in because I'm mute but they have. I like my position and I don't want to be caught talking to the best tracker they have because then they will know I've been faking.'

"Okay okay. Sorry. The Abyssus Manes is coming up, we will cross it tomorrow. You okay?"

I shiver a little, the Abyssus Manes is the home of the Astibos, they are creatures with leathery wings, talons, sharp teeth, and they eat humans and each other. 'I will be once we get away from there.'

" I understand. Watch out!"

I move out of the way in time to just barely miss getting run over by one of the Incatator's carriages. Many carriages pass each one holding several Incatators. I watch them go by then a black carriage with a moon pendant in the window passes. I bow my head in respect to the man within the carriage, Oscuro. His colours are black and gold, his sign is the moon. As the Incatator's carriages passed some of the girls, everyone of them gorgeous, looked out and directly at Mikeel. 'Looks like you have some fans.' I smirk at him,' Mikeel the Incatator layer!'

"Oh stop it." I shake my head," I haven't slept with any of them."

'That doesn't mean you won't. I know that they have invited you.'

"You have one dirty mind."

"HAULT!!" Everyone stops moving,"SET UP CAMP AND GO WHERE YOU ARE NEEDED!!"Everyone around me sounds off a yes sir and scatter to do whatever needs to be done.

******

I walk into the map makers tent. "Where have you been Stella?"

I turn around slowly to face the instructor, ' I was helping set up the mess hall.'

"Stella I find that highly unlikely. I hate to disturb Oscuro but I cannot have you lying and thinking you can do whatever it is you want whenever you want." He grabs my arm and drags me to the Incatator's tent. The Incatators are all sitting on the plush pillows. Oscuro is sitting in a huge black chair that almost looks like a thrown. I bow my head in both respect and fear. " Oscuro this young woman thinks she can do whatever she wants." The instructor lets go of my arm.

I can feel Oscuro staring at me, then he speaks in a deep, enchanting voice." Look at me and tell me what you think you could get away with." I slowly look up at him, his eyes are dark blue almost black, he has a chiseled chin, and high cheek bones. I pull out my brush and paper,"I told you to tell me not write it."

'I am truly sorry, but I do not speak.' All of the incantators gape at me.

Oscuro reads what I wrote and narrows his eyes," I'm sure I can make you speak. She will cross the Abyssus Manes in my boat and I will go with the mapmakers for now take her to her tent."

The instructor nods and grabs my arm again. He drags me out," Stella why wouldn't you just talk? Now you are going to be hurt." He shakes his head and pushes me into the tent," I'll have someone bring you food."

~Well my lovelies if you wish to see another chapter comment and vote.~