The Brotherhood of the Abyss

CHAPTER VII – THE FOREST QUEEN

But before they start deciphering the inner workings of the Silver Box, they had to wait for the Order’s specialists to arrive. Duncan and Kane spent the next half an hour discussing what they heard from the Twins and what the Order might possibly find in Urduja’s Hollow. It’s by then that Duncan sees it safe to share his wild theory about the secret world in the fabled backwoods. Duncan is expecting Kane to dismiss his theory, but he seems to be showing interest.

     “And mind showing me your references child,” Kane said after hearing how Duncan managed to procure books about the legendary secret world.

     Duncan raises a finger and several old and heavy books landed with a thud on the table.

     “I can sense enchantments Duncan,” Kane asked.

     “I have to use magic Sir, or else these old books will crumble.”

     “Good, now for our copies.”

     Instantly piles and piles of parchments flew out from the drawer behind Duncan. They encircle the books like a wild whirl of butterflies before arranging themselves in a pile beside Kane.

     “These will serve as our copies,” Kane said as he points at the parchments. And sure enough they are now perfect reproductions of the books’ pages.

     “Err, Sir, I have a concern,” Duncan muttered.

     And before Duncan can continue, his Captain suddenly cuts in.

     “Yes, I know; I could see that coming now that the threat was confirmed.”

     “You guess it right Sir. I thought it might be better if I end my leave now Sir and report back to the Order, so I could help my city.”

     “You go on with your vacation Child, trust me you will need it. I mean, why are you still wearing a Human Skin even though there is no need for it?”

     “I just feel more human Sir,” Duncan replied. He hastily removes his Human Skin by magically vaporizing it. This is his second one that day. The first one was destroyed while they are on the run towards Boniface’s hiding place.

     “Looks like she is still haunting you, the girl you killed last year,” Kane added

     “I won’t pretend that her face had stopped visiting my dreams,” Duncan sighed, “wearing Human Skins will help me forget that I’m the monster who killed her.”

     “Stop saying that Child, here…”

     And Kane hands Duncan a small bronze key with a mangled tip.

     “As an advice Duncan, you must stay out of fighting for a while. It will be better if you don’t return to the Order for now.”

     “Sir, what’s with the key?”

     “Something to help you ward off her ghost Duncan, just give us three meaningful acts and you will be ready to go back to the Order,” he added.

     Duncan is not sure how this could be done with a simple key, or what Kane meant by three meaningful acts. He checks the key, and it emits strong angelic power though the tip is broken and deformed.

     “Remember the object the Archangel gave you before you came home to Saint Jude?” Kane asked

     “Yes Sir, the one wrapped in silk,” said Duncan as he tries to ponder what his Captain meant

     “Did you open it?”

     “Not yet Sir, I believe I’m not worthy to carry it anymore, so I stowed it away in my bag.”

     “Good! Now what I want you to do is to give it a check tonight and you will see that its silk wrappings is fastened by a lock. You must use the key I gave you to open its lock.”

     “It cannot be done Sir, the key is broken and WHAT THE!”

     Duncan almost drops his key. It wriggles to life and partially repairs its broken tip.

     “I told you Duncan, you must do three noble acts to return to the Order. It seems that you already accomplished one, and the key accepted it. Your willingness to protect your home city will be your first noble act. Just two more Duncan and the key will become fully formed. Then use it to open the object the Archangel gave you and show the contents to me and the Grandmaster,” Kane explains.

     “Sir, the silk wrappings had no protective magic or angelic power, I could simply tear it open or pick its lock.”

     “But your key is tamper proof; it came from the Archangel. And I have my full trust on you. I know you won’t resort to easier means. Now child remember that three noble acts are all you need. You have already done one and you only need two.”

     “But what if I failed Sir? That doesn’t mean I couldn’t go back to the Order right?”

     “Just inform us that you cannot do it and we will think of other ways to help you. And if you want, you may go back to the Order right now.”

     But Duncan know that deep inside, how much he claims to his Captain that he is willing to face death for the sake of Saint Jude, he is still in no condition to fight. As long as he is tormented by the death of that girl, the Order had not much use to him.

     “I’ll keep this Sir,” Duncan said before pocketing the key, “but please allow me to at least offer assistance.”

     “Just don’t do anything reckless Duncan, and I think the specialists are coming now.”

      They then exit the reception chamber where they interrogated the Twins and proceeded to the Squad’s Barracks. Duncan felt as if it was ages ago when he last came here. The images of the Warrior Christ and the Queen Blessed Mary are still there, and the banner of the Order still hangs above the meeting table. Velruthiel, who is ever present in her enchanted world, awaits them.

     “Any seconds and they will be here,” she said to Kane.

     And a voice of a woman makes a polite call from outside the Barracks.

     “The Angel’s Apprentices are requesting passage.”

     “Request accepted,” Kane answered.

     The Squad’s Barracks don’t have front doors, but the Stone Arch emerges to allow three interesting characters to enter. All of them are women of Duncan’s age all dressed in black. Against the masked and cloaked Kane, and the finely dressed Velruthiel, they look odd in their attire. They wore dark blouse, vests and lady’s trousers instead of the traditional gown. Their jet black hairs are neat and well styled.

     “It’s an honour seeing you again,” said Kane as he makes a polite bow to the Ladies.

     “The Angel’s Apprentices are always here to serve you,” one of them, the short haired one said while brandishing a badge with the symbol of the cross and the candle next to the Order’s standard. Behind Kane Duncan is doing a very nervous bow as one of the Ladies goggle him.

     “One of your men,” the one whose hair is tied to a ponytail said.

     “My best,” Kane replied, “For I consider each of my men as the best.”

     Kane ushered the Ladies towards the meeting table where Velruthiel entertains them with cups of tea. Kane lowers his mask to make the affair informal as Duncan took a seat behind his shadow. He is not really comfortable sitting next to women.

     “So they are the Angel’s Apprentices,” he thought to himself. The Angel’s Apprentices are the brains of this brotherhood; the thinkers, researchers and the specialists. It was their task to do the detective works as the armed wing (where Duncan belongs) hunts and kills the enemy. The Apprentices were originally personal aids to the armed wing. As tradition dictates the Archangel Rafael was the one who trained them, hence their name. Now, even though the Squads are becoming capable of detective works themselves, the Apprentices are still being called upon for assistance.

     “Can we see that contraband you got?” The short haired Lady asked Kane

     “I’m warning you though; the thing is unstable Melchari.”

     “Her name is Melchari,” Duncan thought to himself. He caught her eyes, and she winked. Duncan turned brilliant red as her two companions snigger appreciatively. Kane raises a finger and the Silver Box appeared on the table.

     “It’s definitely the property of the Empire,” the one sporting full bangs said after seeing the intricately patterned dragon on its side and a deity embossed on the lid.

     “We saw your report Kane; this is taken from the Pathfinders right?” Melchari asked.

     “Precisely, and we want to know how it works.”

     “You could just done it yourselves, most of the Demon Chasers nowadays are skilled in detective works,” the one with a ponytail said.

     The Demon Chasers is the nickname for the armed wing of the Order.

     “But we need someone with a better knowledge. And this will save us much trouble.”

     “Well if that’s the case, let’s get started?” Melchari said then.

     They take the highly dangerous Box towards the Barracks Test Area behind the statue of the Warrior Christ. The thing weighs fifty kilograms, something that only a highly conditioned Pathfinder or a member of the Order could manhandle.

     When they entered the Test Area, it magically transforms into a form of a ballistic laboratory. The walls are reinforced and there is a table enclosed in thick blast proof glass in the middle.

     “We have to note its physical characteristics,” Melchari said while Kane and Duncan push a spacious working desk towards her. Duncan heaves the Box on the desk as the Ladies magically conjures funny looking instruments in the air that Duncan assumes to be gauges, measuring tools and scale.

     “Okay, Casfra get its outside dimension. Belzaar deduce its inner workings,” Melchari said to her members.

      Casfra, the one with full bangs arranges her measuring tools and flattens a large drawing paper on the desk. There is nothing special about these instruments, yet they jerk to life to do the measurements.  The drawing paper magically sketches the findings, and the result is a detailed drawing of the Box complete with labelled dimensions.

     “If you want to view it in three dimensions, just put a finger on the paper like this,” Casfra said as the paper projects a solid looking model of the Box.  

      Now it’s Belzaar turn.

     She measures the Box’s mass, records its material composition and internal mechanism by using a funny looking instrument that resembles a scale. Again the results are magically drawn on paper.

     “A lot of gears and parts everywhere, and a tough outer casing too,” Belzaar said as she examines the resulting drawing. The two Ladies then discuss their findings to Melchari.

     “We now know how it works,” Melchari declared after reviewing the drawings.

     She first explains to Kane and Duncan what those many parts are for; Duncan’s head is swimming.

     “To make everything short,” Melchari explained, “this Box is made to contain a highly potent magical object, absorb a specific magic, and multiply its power.”

     “Did you found out what’s inside?” Kane asked

     “Sorry but our power is limited. The object inside is made to evade detection.”

     “Did you give the Box an initial check,” Casfra asked.

     “But what’s the use if we had no idea how it works,” Kane explained.

     “It might be better if we open the thing,” Melchari suggested.

     “Duncan, do the honour and put the Box in the chamber,” Kane commanded him.

     “We could open the Box right here; I mean we don’t have to worry about getting killed in the blast. And this place looks sturdy enough,” Belzaar suggested.

     “And leave a mess behind,” Velruthiel smiled at her.

     “Just joking sis,” she replied.

     The Ladies back off when Duncan heaves the Box in the blast chamber. Its glasses had no doors, but it recedes to form a small port where Duncan slips the Box. Kane places a hand on the glass to prepare the necessary enchantments to contain the Box if it explodes.

     “Tell me, how the locking mechanisms work Melchari,” Kane asked.

     “The locks are made to recognize a legitimate owner.”

     “But its legitimate owner is recovering from injuries Clause game him.”

     “But if we refer to the drawing, we might hoodwink its security measures.”

     With eyes fixed on the part of the drawing where the lock is shown, Kane performs a spell meant to manipulate objects at a distance. The Box’s stabilizing chains snap off as if invisible hands removed them. And with a loud click the lid swings open.

     With nothing to control what’s inside, the Box rattles uncontrollable. Ominous blue light escapes, the same light that brought the Floating Mountain down from the sky. If not for Kane’s enchantments, the glass of the chamber, and the magic of the room, the light may have wrecked everything. Through Kane’s will his enchantment gains strength, overpowering the raging blue light.

     “The magic is sealed,” Kane declared, “Duncan, retrieve the Box.”

     The protective glass of the chamber is still warm when Duncan reaches for the Box. Again the glasses withdrew to let him slip a hand.

     What follows is utmost revulsion.

     From the Box Duncan pulls out an object that made the Ladies flinched; a freshly amputated hand. The harsh experience in the battlefield meant Duncan and Kane is used to such a grim sight.

     “Talk about grotesque,” Duncan muttered in awe, for the hand is still moving. It squints and struggles to get loose from Duncan’s grip, its fingers twitching menacingly.

     “Don’t drop it please!” cried Melchari, fearing it might crawl towards her.

     “You’re seeing odd stuffs every day, don’t tell me you’re still not used to this,” frowned Kane.

     “Sir, handling undead parts is the work of the Pathologists, our job is to tinker with magical items,” Belzaar said.

     Now that the hand is separated from the Box, its magic becomes manageable. The frightened Ladies conjure a cylindrical glass container where Duncan places the hand.    

     “Now we need to know which creature this hand belongs to,” said Casfra as the Ladies group around the hand. Inside the glass container its fingers balls into a fist.

     “Honestly this is something I’ve never seen,” Melchari noted. Her curiosity had overtaken her revulsion.

     “The Order’s Pathologists need to see this, we may be looking at a new creature here,” Belzaar added.

     Kane and Duncan thought the same. It had glowing blue skin patterned with strange markings of stripes and spots. The five long fingers end with sharp talons. Even the magic it gives off is oddly unique.

     “Demonic hands tend to be deformed or rudimentary,” Kane thought.

     “And they don’t glow like this,” Duncan said, a mad fixation glints in his eyes.

     “What if the enemy possesses the other body parts?” Melchari asked.

     “There may be more of these Silver Boxes out there, we have a lot of work to do,” Kane muttered.

     “Firstly we need to have this hand checked; we will inform you of the Pathologists’ findings but…” Melchari muttered.

     The girls look at each other.

     “Sirs, mind helping us carry the thing to our department,” Belzaar said, her face flushing.

     “But do remember to never dissect the hand. We need it whole and alive just in case its owner reclaims it,” Kane said.

     In the end Kane and Duncan took turns handling the grotesque object while the Ladies lead the way to their department.

     “Please stop that Duncan,” Kane said, for Duncan is playing with the hand by tapping its glass container.

     “Just checking if the thing is still alive Sir,” Duncan answered.

     “That might explain it,” Kane said dreamily.

     “What Sir?”

     “Remember the explosion Metzger reported, the one that killed the soldiers?”

     “You mean the one where Metzger sensed demonic magic?”

     “Precisely and seeing on how the Box functions this might explain why Metzger felt a demonic presence in the blast area.”

    “That the soldiers must be experimenting with demonic parts to find means to travel to another world, and the glass orb is an earlier version of the Silver Box,” Duncan added.

     “A less stable model that cannot contain demonic magic; the Empire’s technology is getting dirtier by the moment,” Kane concluded.

     “They will resort to any means,” Duncan sighed.

***

“I can’t find anything wrong with the place,” Boniface said when he came back to the Order later that night

     “Did you give it a careful check,” Kane asked as Boniface hands him a shining ball of Memory.

     “I spent the day skimming the area Sir. Just to be sure I left my birds and hounds there. I also placed Seeing Eyes in several concealed positions.”

     Seeing Eyes are the Order’s version of a Closed Circuit Television Camera. They are crystal eyes mounted on walls or trees for surveillance purpose.

     “Anyway, I will return there tomorrow Sir. And you got to see these…”

     Boniface conjures several magically rendered photographs. It shows curious sets of standing stones left at the foot of bushes and trees. Some are formless piles of boulders. Others are expertly carved images of Saints.

     “Marking Stones,” Duncan explained. “They are guides to travellers and thanksgivings to Patron Saints.”

     “I see,” Boniface replied.

     “And the Twins Boniface,” Kane then asked sternly.

     “They are always my priority Sir. Their safe return is ensured. And speaking of…”

     Boniface hands Kane a roughly made paper inside a glass jar.

     “I got a chance to speak to their Grand Chieftainess. She is inviting us to a private meeting.”

     “So the Order is now involved,” Kane muttered.

     “It’s our Grandmaster’s idea anyway,” Boniface added.

     “And you need to know what we found out. The Silver Box had nasty secrets to share.”

     Kane and Duncan gave Boniface a detailed, blow by blow account of what they found in the Box.

     “We could have done it ourselves Sir, why asked the Angel’s Apprentices for help,” Boniface asked then.

     “Believe me with them around, things are easier,” Kane explains.

     “How about the hand Sir,” Boniface asked.

     “The Apprentices had it for analysis. They will identify which creature the hand belongs. One thing is for sure, seeing how much power it unleashes its owner is a very dangerous entity.”

     “And to restrain such creature requires even more power. We have a potentially dangerous enemy out there,” Duncan added.

     “What’s that Boniface,” Kane asked after Boniface conjures another photograph.

     “Nothing, just something ominous I found in the middle of Urduja’s Hollow.”

     This time, the photo shows the sculpture of what looks like a stone effigy complete with a figure of a reposed woman.

     “Ah, the Memorial to the Lost Travellers,” Duncan explains said.

     “And it sure looks like one,” Boniface muttered, “are you sure no one is buried there?”

     “Well, it’s meant to commemorate the people who died exploring the forest,” Duncan explained.

     “Anyway I will be revisiting the place tomorrow,” Boniface just said.

***

Early the next day, the mirror issued to him by the Order starts emitting sparks. Kane is making a call to him.

     “Be ready Child. I need you to report to the headquarters. We will meet the Worldly Wanderers,” said Kane urgently when Duncan answered his call.

     “Sir, I’m not complaining but Boniface is better at this stuff than I am,” Duncan replied.

     “Boniface was in the forest and Simoun is in charge of the city. So get ready Duncan.”

     And within minutes, Duncan is in the Squad’s Barrack where Velruthiel hands him a hooded cloak. They will be going out in the Worldly Wanderer village hooded.

     “Is everyone here?” Kane said as he enters the Barracks accompanied by another cloaked figure. Duncan stood to give respect.

     “At ease,” the nameless visitor replied to Duncan.

     “Let’s move,” Kane ordered.

     In a swing of their cloaks, they vanish. They reappeared in the forest of the Worldly Wanderers, the wildest part of the backwoods of Saint Jude.

     “Here we are, now to ask for permission,” Velruthiel said. She points at a massive and aging tree, the entrance to the village of the Worldly Wanderers.

     “Who goes there,” a low rumbling voice echoes from the tree tops.

     “We are here to visit the Grand Chieftainess,” Velruthiel replied.

     “Show us your invitation,” the voice answered. In response Velruthiel brandishes the roughly made paper inside the glass jar. The air then starts to get misty as smoke spews from the tree tops. The branches quiver, indicating something large is coming down followed by the sound of huge feet thumping the ground.

     “Your invitation please, to check its authenticity,” the rumbling voice replied. Its owner is hard to spot for the air is thick with smoke, but Duncan and the others could see an odd creature examining Velruthiel’s invitation. The members of the Order are definitely used to horrible stuffs, for this creature is frightening. It towers at nine feet tall and built like a brick wall. Great tangles of black hair cover its entire body and red eyes peers from a beastly face.

     “The Xafris, the guardian of the woods,” Duncan thought. He learned from the Order that Xafrises are fierce protective entity of the woods, the offspring of wilder Worldly Wanderers and other forest spirits. They have great power, strong enough to induce earthquakes.

     “The invitation is authentic, you may go,” the Xafris said to Velruthiel. The Xafris leads them to the entrance behind the tree, a small door bewitched to be invisible to stragglers. There they squeezed themselves, and beyond the entrance they see an amazing sight.

     This is Saint Jude in its wilder form, a city inside the forest.  The trees dominating the area have porches and windows, like Worldly Wanderers versions of buildings. They are connected by networks of bridges, and others have overhanging signpost indicating they are shops or stores. Whenever Duncan and his party pass a tree, curious faces will peer out from the windows, gawking at them before whispering to their companions. This city also boasts roads of green meadows where carts, carriages and ordinary bystanders go to and fro. One of these carts rolls past their party and Duncan notices that it’s pulled by a strange bull creature with four horns.

     “Err, excuse me but I’m here to escort you to the Grand Chieftainess,” squeaked a scared female Worldly Wanderer.

     “Oh, thank you but we can manage on our own,” Velruthiel smiled.

     “But it’s the Grand Chieftainess’ order My Lady.”

     “My job ends here My Lady,” the Xafris bowed to Velruthiel, “I will be leaving you to her.”

     The Attendant points them towards an old moss covered tree that Duncan supposed to be the grandest in terms of Worldly Wanderer standards. The tree had no leaves, only pink blossoms.

     “Please enter,” the Attendant said. And it seems that every Worldly Wanderer they walk passed keep stepping aside as if they carry something contagious.

     “We should have worn something else,” Duncan frowned at their imposing hooded cloaks.

     “Even if we wear the grandest outfit I bet these folks will still avoid us,” Kane muttered.

     They enter the tree and climb a circular staircase leading to the very top floor. Once there, the Attendant ushers them to a room decorated with rich wooden carvings, furniture and murals depicting the daily lives of Worldly Wanderers. In the middle of the room sits a female Worldly Wanderer of a very young age, barely older than a Junior Highschool student. Her long and wavy hair that almost touches the floor is adorned with blossoms. She wore a gown of vibrant green.

     Velruthiel and the others make a low bow before the young lady as Kane conjures the gifts they brought. Bouquets upon bouquets of non-drying flowers sprang out followed by a chest of precious gems.

     “Arise, Children of Adam and Eve,” the young lady spoke, her eyes twinkling. In return for their gifts she presents them with bottles of home brewed wine and rubies the size of boulders.

     “Please take them,” the lady spoke, seeing that they are too polite to accept gifts, “these are from the Twin’s parents.”

     “This is the Grand Chieftainess?” Duncan said to himself, sounding a bit surprised. He is expecting someone older.

     When they are through with the formal greetings, the Grand Chieftainess magically produces chairs for her guests and a round meeting table.

     “Firstly my apologies on how my people had treated you,” the Grand Chieftainess told them, aware of the frightened welcome they received.

     “We get that most of the time,” Velruthiel chuckled.

     “And you ought to know what had become of the Twins, well…” The Grand Chieftainess added. And in a wave of her hand the cupboard behind them burst open. Two small dishevelled figures rolled out. It’s the Twins.

     “Err, we’re playing Hide and Seek,” Cirinian grinned.

     “Oh, would you look at where we ended,” Miganian giggled innocently.

     “Did your parents know about this,” the Grand Chieftainess said.

     “My Lady, I mean we’re not spying or something…”

     And seeing that excuses are pointless, Cirinian fall on his knees and his sister does the same.

     “Please My Lady, we really need to talk to Velruthiel,” Cirinian pleaded.

     “We must give them something that they might find helpful,” Miganian added.

     “Okay, okay, but not now. Just wait outside for a moment,” the Grand Chieftainess smiled.

     The Twins quietly exits her office as the Grand Chieftainess winks at them reassuringly.

     “Well, they seem to be doing well,” Velruthiel laughed.

     “And can I ask the three gentlemen here to lower their hoods? I want to see their faces.”

     Kane and Duncan did what they are told but their third companion chose to stay hooded.

     “You’re so young,” the Grand Chieftainess said after seeing their youthful appearances.

     “The call of duty chooses no age,” Kane calmly replied.

     “The men of the Order truly had dedications, unlike my council members here.”

     Suddenly a loud crash echoes coming from the garden.

     “Don’t worry it’s just one of my Elders. They will be doing three months’ worth of community service for their lack of action in Camilla’s disappearance. Can you believe it? Those blokes did not even bother telling me she is missing! For now their aides will be handling their jobs. Anyway…”

     The Grand Chieftainess opens a chest full of papers.

     “Let’s make this quick,” she continued, “I requested this meeting to tell you everything about the girl we call as Camilla.”

     She pulls out a hand drawn portrait of a girl everyone recognizes as Camilla based on the descriptions of the Twins. The portrait is so expertly drawn that it seems to breath and wink.

     “We don’t have access to cameras unlike humans so every picture we have is hand drawn, but I assure you, this sketch is extremely precise. I will be handing this to you for your reference,” the Grand Chieftainess said as she passes the sketch to Velruthiel.  

     “We heard Camilla is not from this place,” Duncan mentioned.

     “Precisely, she didn’t just come from another place, she came from another World.”

     Kane and Duncan stared at each other upon hearing this revelation. Their silent companion remains unmoved.      

     “It was Camilla herself who told me this,” the Grand Chieftainess smiled, “I vowed to never tell this to anyone, but now things are different and promises must be broken.”

     “Did she mention what kind of World is that?” Kane asked again.

     “She never spoke of it due to the harsh experiences she had. She once told me her world is a cruel one.”

     “In what way,” Kane again asked.

     “They are persecuted by the human inhabitants. Squads of soldiers trained to counter their magic, armed with cursed bow and sword will sweep into their villages, raiding their homes and taking their young. Those who resists will meet their ends by their blades. These soldiers wore mask of grotesque faces and capes with strange symbol; a red dragon.”

     “The Empire,” Duncan whispered at Kane.

     “The motives behind this persecution are unclear,” the Grand Chieftainess continued. “Camilla’s race and the human inhabitants are always at peace with each other.”

     “And this Camilla, how did she managed to escape from these persecutions,” their silent companion interrupted. This partly rattles Duncan.

     “Again Camilla never spoke of it. She only told me that she knew a forbidden charm that took her to this place. And it was as if by fate she ended here in the door of our village.”

     “She is a complete stranger yet you came to accepted her?” Duncan said, knowing the Worldly Wanderers’ reaction towards outsiders.

     “I could see through hearts of anyone, a skill I perfected through my stay with my dishonest council members. And at first glance I knew all along that Camilla meant no harm. She is in a pitiful state. She arrived here starved, dirty, bruised and bloody. Even our Xafris was moved. And against the wishes of our Elders, I let her stay. And now to help you in your search…”

     Again she reaches for another portrait in the chest.

     “Camilla is a creature of two faces. I will be giving you the sketch of her second form,” the Grand Chieftainess said as she hands Velruthiel the picture.

     “Camilla had an alternative form,” said Kane now sounding more curious than ever.

     “This is supposed to be another secret but just in case you stumbled upon her in her second form, you will know it’s her. For now this is everything I could reveal to you. I will be informing my Xafris so you could come and go as you please in our place. In this way I could easily inform you of any improvements we made in our own investigations. If you needed anything, approach me. And now…”

     The Grand Chieftainess raises a hand and the door opens.

     “Let us not deny the Twin’s their rights to speak to you,” she smiled.

     It was the Grand Chieftainess herself who fetches the Twins. Kane and Duncan hastily raise their hoods.

     “MY LADY,” Cirinian said as he rushes from the door followed by the panting Miganian, “promise, this won’t take long. Miganian, do the honour.”

     “Please, you must take this,” Miganian said. She hands Velruthiel a pair of terribly crafted necklace. The beads are uneven and the strings are flimsy.

     “Yes the necklaces are terrible. It took Camilla a week just to finish this,” Cirinian hinted.

     “These are priced possessions, but you will need this to find our Camilla,” Miganian insisted.

     “Err, are you sure?” Velruthiel smiled.

     “And how could these things help us,” Duncan asked coldly and insensitively.

     “Well, err, it’s just that,” Cirinian muttered.

     “We have no idea. We just felt you will need them,” Miganian replied.

     Behind his hood, Duncan’s face wears an annoyed expression.

     “Take it Velruthiel,” their silent companion suddenly spoke, “we must honour the Twin’s request.”

     Duncan cannot believe what he heard.

     “Thank you very much!” Cirinian exclaimed airily.

     They bid Velruthiel a teary farewell, bombard the Grand Chieftainess with a ton of thank you and they sped away, aware that anytime soon their parents will come for them.

     “Such a love for a friend,” the Grand Chieftainess smiled.

     “They will do basically anything to have her back,” Velruthiel added while Duncan stares at the necklaces in complete disbelief.