|
By Michele aka Ygraul Verdemorte |
Chapter 14. Shadow Guild |
|
 |
em, would you please stop doing that?” Uriel protested. The little monk stared at her for a moment before picking up the coin and slipping it into her pocket. She was bored and the green drawing room seemed smaller than usual. A small part of her resented the fact that Uriel had dragged her along. There was a fresh layer of snow on the ground and she longed for the laughter of children. She even had a bag full of sweets to take with her to the orphanage. “Can’t you and Master Grumpy take care of this without me?” she complained. “He specifically asked that you be present. Honestly, Lem, you’re like a kid sometimes.” Maybe if she slid the edge of the coin between the back of her fingers she could get it to fall along her knuckles the way Pendaran could do it. It was worth a try. She drew the golden disk back into her palm and admired the crisp outline of King Adelbern’s profile. The gray light of late morning flashed off of the metal as she flicked it into the air. She smiled at the faint ring it made while airborne. “Lemony!” Uriel cried, “Now you’re just doing it to be annoying!” Sighing, she pocketed the coin yet again and hummed tunelessly to herself, stopping when Uriel sighed loudly. Fortunately her boredom ended when the door opened and Master Bei strode in. He looked pale and tired. He flashed a wan smile at Lemony as he made his way to the overstuffed chair beside the fireplace. “I missed you at breakfast,” Lemony said. Uriel cleared her throat, her long dusky fingers rapping impatiently on the arm of the couch where she reclined. She was accustomed to having the hours between breakfast and dinner to work on her plans for the academy. “I missed Pen and Teleri, too. Did something happen last night?” Lemony continued. “A lot of things have been happening lately,” Zhou said, his voice raspy from disuse. She sensed he had only recently risen from bed and would most likely return to it when he was done. “Not to sound ungrateful, but I am very busy right now. Please tell me what you need,” Uriel said, growing impatient. “I need your help,” Zhou said simply. “What do you mean?” “I need you to take the celestial sigil I gave you and form a guild in Tyria. You must attune it to the one on the grounds of your academy. Once my guild is dissolved and its members have sworn fealty to yours, they can use the sigil to seek shelter in Tyria under your banner.” Uriel’s jaw dropped. Lemony blinked. “What is going on?” Uriel demanded. “What I tell you now is not to leave this room. I am being hunted. I want you to shelter my people until the danger has passed.” “What about you?” Uriel demanded. “If I survive, none will be happier than I, but it is selfish for me to needlessly endanger those who serve me.” “But who is hunting you? Might we strike them down?” “I fear there is more than one and they have allies in the Celestial Ministry. It is difficult to strike what you cannot see.” Lemony gazed upon Zhou, remembering the first time she had seen him standing boldly in his shimmering red attire at the shoulder of his beloved master. The summer had dealt him a bitter blow as two people dear to him were laid to rest. How terrible it must be to watch Pendaran suffer for him and to be without Shikai. Poor dear man. She went to his side and touched his hand upon the arm of the chair, gratified when his fingers tightened over hers. She kissed his brow, giving him Dwayna’s benediction and whispering a prayer that the goddess’ wings would enfold him. “We’ll protect you,” Lemony said gently. “I owe much to your generosity and I am happy to repay it,” Uriel said, “We will make haste.” “I have arranged for your travel on the evening tide,” Zhou replied quietly, then reached into the depths of his robes and drew out a small golden key, “If something happens to me, give this to Pendaran. You must ensure he goes with you when the sigils are attuned. I have named another to be his master in my place.” “Don’t die, Zhou,” Lemony protested, “I can’t bear the thought. Just run away.” Lemony could hardly meet his gentle brown eyes as he looked upon her. “I have considered my options, Liang Meng. I could flee, I could use my powers to hide myself, but they would merely strike harshly at those I love and draw me back. I could leave and make no effort to cover my trail, hoping to draw them off and still they would strike here to win my compliance. I could ask that all who dwell here scatter to the four winds, but that is unkind to those who cannot endure the rigors of travel. No, I have seen the best solution now, a shadow guild to hide my friends and servants. My enemies do not suspect that I have planned such a thing, but once that sigil is attuned they will guess its purpose and strike hard. That is why we must move quickly and with stealth. “Continue to build the academy and proclaim that you return to Tyria to recover the books entrusted to you for the new library. Find a secure location for the sigil but do not reveal its location to anyone outside of your closest friends. When you have successfully placed and attuned it, return to me. I will do what I must in the meantime to prepare for our departure.” “I’ll stay with you,” Lemony said. “No, my friend, you must go with Uriel and her company. Ward them and ensure their success.” “Can’t you call Shikai back?” Lemony protested, “I can’t bear the thought of you being all alone.” “I am not alone. The walls are warded against thieves and assassins. There is nowhere safer for me. Now please, go prepare for the journey. The hour of your departure draws nigh.” Uriel rose stiffly and bowed to him, her face grim with determination. They couldn’t leave Zhou behind. They just couldn’t. Something terrible would happen if he were left alone. “But I love you!” she cried, stamping her foot, “I won’t let anyone hurt you!” Oddly, Zhou chuckled and rose from his chair, gathering Lemony under his left arm and offering her a gentle embrace as he urged her through the door. Uriel was giggling foolishly. Why were they laughing at her? “We just love you back,” Zhou laughed.
|
