November 29

Word Count: 1215

Lynah was fairly positive this wasn't a natural occurrence. In fact, it probably had something to do with their new found powers, and in the scope of things, she should be able to use this to their advantage. There was only one thing to do. Lie through her teeth.

"Your Majesties, I know what is wrong."

"Well, then wake her up," her mother said.

"I cannot. The Great Mages have put her into The Deep Sleep of the Ages. It is a sign from them that she is not slated to marry a mere mortal." Her father looked confused.

"Then who is she slated to marry?" her father asked. "And why not just come and speak to me?"

"They choose not to come because they respect your power as king of Galadin. They are pleased with the way you've ruled over the land in their absence." Lynah knew that flattery was often the quickest diplomatic ploy to agreement. "As a gift, she will marry a Great Mage and become nearly immortal herself." On a role, Lynah added, "You must create a contest, a challenge of body, mind, and heart. Choose your successor from those who win. I will travel with Trevelyn to the city of Tamarin, where she will meet her future husband and be awakened from her sleep."

Lynah's parents looked rather stunned at the girl who they believed was up until a few days ago, their daughter's servant. Yet she spoke with such a command of language and an air of regal detachment that they did not dare to question her.

"Lasser," Lynah prompted. He understood her command, and proceeded to approach the bed and scoop the unconscious Trevelyn up into his arms. Before anyone could think to stop them, the pair left the room and down the steps.

"Do things always come so easy to you?" Lasser whispered to Lynah as they rounded the bed of the stairs.

"Usually. But let's get out of here before someone decides to ask more questions about the load of hallooey I just spit out in there."

"Right."

In the courtyard, they were treated to the magnificent sight of a dragon returning to full size. With care, the two scrambled up onto Snult's back, placing Trevelyn between them, and with a flap of his wings, the party was airborne.

Mitty's feet were beginning to hurt. More than once she'd gazed over at Malek with the hopes that he'd slow his pace. At the speed they were traveling, conversation was nearly impossible.

When Mitty's stomach growled, she stopped dead in her tracks. Malek continued for a few paces until he realized she was no longer beside him before turning and looking rather annoyed.

"Where are we going anyway," Mitty finally asked the question she should have asked an hour ago.

"As far away from where we were as possible."

"And where's that?" Mitty asked. Malek shrugged.

"Wherever we end up I suppose."

"That doesn't sound like much of a plan."

"And you have a better one?" It was Mitty's turn to shrug. She sat down beside of the road and pulled off her shoe. She examined the thin sole which was close to wearing completely away in one spot.

"I think we should just sit and think about it for a moment. There's got to be a better way than just walking until our shoes fall off."

Malek sat next to her, and put out his feet in front of him. His sturdy boots showed little sign of wear.

"How does one wish up a new pair of shoes?" Mitty asked.

"The same way one wishes oneself into her bed or completely invisible." Malek answered. "Although it's hard to tell if I still am invisible if there's no one else to check, considering both you and Pylon apparently have been able to see me quite perfectly the whole time."

"Right, so we need to find a town. See, we already have a better plan."

"And what if I am still invisible."

"Then we find a way to make you uninvisible. Or is that just visible? Either way, we are going to have to find some help in dealing with this magic stuff."

"Help?" Malek's tone was dubiously flat.

"Yes. I think Saratin will be the most likely to help. He works in Ladona Monastery. He's a librarian, and if anyone knows about magic, he would be a librarian for the Brotherhood."

"I don't know if I trust him. I mean, what was a brother traveling around in the forest with a nobleman for?"

"They were both on their way to the same place, I think. He was going somewhere… which means he might not be at Ladona. He might be somewhere else." Malek was suspiciously silent. He stared at the ground where his boot was making circles in the dirt.

"Malek? How did you find me?" Malek shifted and soon his other boot was making the circles. Mitty waited. Surely he hadn't come back to the Toumat jail by accident. She tried the guilt one more time with a simple sweet, "Malek?"

"The dragon. The dragon told me the light ball was a locating device, but I still don't trust that brother. I think we should probably just find a nice quiet town to lay low in for a while, and then we'll…" Malek tapered off.

"We'll what, Malek? We'll live in a cute little cottage and you'll steal us or food and clothing? Really now… If I'm going to stay with you, you'll never steal again." He didn't react well to this statement. He jumped up and began pacing in front of her.

"Oh, so you're now the ruler of me? Who said we had to stay together?"

Her temper flared along with his. "Fine. We don't have to stay together. You could go ahead and leave the only person who can see you or talk to you. I don't need you. Pylon and I will do just fine by ourselves." She stood.

Malek seemed somewhat shocked by her outburst. He just stared at her with his mouth slightly open. He was right, she knew, not to want to stay with her. After all, she was just a tailor's daughter… one with no home, no money and no connections at all. Why would he want to stay? And why was it that every time she was away from Malek, she wanted him in her company, but every time he came, they seemed to fight? He was the only man who'd ever paid any attention to her, and most of the time he didn't even like her.

Mitty felt the tears well up. She felt her throat close and turned away from Malek. Mitty wouldn't let him see her cry. She turned and walked into the woods on the other side of the road.

"Where are you going?" he asked surprised. His tone had lightened, as if her action was unexpected. Mitty decided he really didn't want to leave her alone after all, but she couldn't stop the tears.

"I'm going to take care of some business. Don't follow. I'll be back."

"Oh," he called from behind her. "Well, Pylon," she heard him say, "go make sure she doesn't wander off a cliff or anything like that."