- Tjedon, Castle Courtyard -
"Hey, I think my energy is returning... I can sense another person now... awake in a home not far from here. Must be Duilin, getting the others." Ben merely laid back in the cockpit chair and stared at all the buttons and gizmoes. There were plenty of switches, and Ben barely knew enough of them to know how to fly and land, as well as track other airships in the Dark Empire. There are plenty of things he doesn't know how to do.
"Hmm... it might be a good idea to fiddle around with this someday, just to see how everything works."
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-Tel Vos, Arctic Region -
The brutality of the lizardmen was shown in force against the bandits and rebels as they attacked the well-defended barricade. Human and Lizard blood alike spilled across the soft, white snow. The rebel force died down more and more, and the lizardmen made sure they killed at least five of them before they died, to even out the scores.
"Blast, the lizards are too strong! RETREAT!!!" The rebels pulled out of the barricade formed by the lizards and ran off into the snowy wastes ahead.
"Captain Zabel! Send your squad in persuit of the rebel force. everyone who isn't doing anything, I want the dead lizardmen burried, and the wounded in tents. MOVE!"
"But sir, what of the humans? The rebel corpses that line the barricade?"
"Have the mages... incineraet them. This will show them who they deal with."
"Yes sir! First flank, you're with me!" The captain took her troops off into the wastes, after the rebels that attacked the lizardman encampment. Karma was still behind Jacobie.
"Can we... leave? I feel weird..."
"Oh, the effects must be wearing off. We'll head back to my pavillion."
"Um... which way is it?"
"Just follow me." Jacobie walked through the snow and next to the pavillion. It was the largest one in the camp, and directly in the center, so it was easy enough to find. He opened the flap and walked into the giant tent. Karma followed him in. Again, out of habbit, she walked over to the shackles and sat down.
"*sigh* We're going to have to break you of that habbit." He walked over to her and held his hand out in front of her. She merely stared at it, confused.'
"Grab my hand. I'll help you up." She reached out her arm, hesitated, then grabbed his hand. Jacobie lifted her to her feet.
"Why didn't you fight?"
"What do you mean?"
"You hid behind me all the time. Why?"
"I'm... scared... I don't like war."
"Believe me, none of us really like war, but it is unavoidable. It has to happen, wheather we want it to or not. As a mage you have to be fearless."
"But I've seen mages before who aren't!"
"Then they cannot truely call themselves a true mage."
"I'll... try harder."
"Don't try. Just do, or do not."
"I understand."
"Good. It's nearly dawn. We should get some sleep."
"Where? There is only one bed."
"It should be more than big enough."
"You're not saying... that we sleep in the same bed, are you?"
"No. I'm sleeping there, because I have to. I invite you to sleep there to stay away from the cold. You can either sleep with me, or with the firece clod outside."
"I'll stay inside... Um, what about my armor?"
"Change out of it. I'll wait outside." Jacobie walked out into the snow again. After another few minutes, he felt a tap on his shoulder.
"I'm done. How is this?"
"Are those... my clothes?"
"I found them on the drawers over there."
"*sigh* It can't be helped. Still, they're a bit big on you. They'll work for now." Jacobie unstrung and removed his breast plate and pauldrons and threw them near the armor Karma took off. He was wearing a common, brown shirt under the crimson armor. He left his leather greaves on. He then headed to the back of the tent and laid down in the bed. Karma followed him and laid next to him.
"I feel wierd... ugh, my stomach..." Karma shrunk back to her human form. She held both hands on her stomach. and winced in pain.
"Here." Jacobie put a hand on the painful spot and emited a small, blue glow. In mere seconds, Karma felt much better.
"Um... Thank you... being so nice, I mean..."
"It's nothing, really. Still, you're welcome."
"And uh... just... thank you again. You really aren't a part of the Dark Empire, are you?"
"No, I am. Retan is the evil one; we're just stuck following his orders, as well as prime minister Grav."
"Who's that?"
"He's minister of Gaian and some oter place; Mizar, I think. Supposedly the homeworld of the Lizardmen, but I'm native to the north; here, actually."
"You mean this is your homelands?"
"Yes. One of the reasons I came up here. Not why I stayed, though."
"Why did you stay?"
"For you."
"..."
"There's something special about you, Karmandalla. It's odd; I think it's Karma that we met."
"What do you mean?"
"Karma... Destiny... That's the meaning of your name. I sense great magical energy in you. It's been untapped for far too long, however... how old are you?"
"Seventeen. I was ten before I was taken up north. It's been seven years since then.
"Seventeen years, huh? That's way too long. I'm going to have to spend a lot of time with you in order to bring you in touch with your magical self."
"That sounds like an excuse."
"What if it is? Is it a bad thing that I want to spend more time with my apprentice?"
"Um... no, I guess not..."
"Are you okay? You're shivering?"
"It's this bed... It's just so... comfortable."
"Heh... yeah, it's pretty nice... So, where are you from?"
"I was born on an island... Before I left, it was with war with another island..."
"Hmm... do you remember the name of your island?"
"Romme, I think. It was destroyed; I heard that from a Lizardman officer.
"You were... born on Romme? I'm so sorry... It was destroyed around six years ago."
"Yes, that's what I heard."
"What about your family?"
"They sold me... so they could survive. I didn't mind it, though. Not at first. I really didn't like them anyways."
"Perhapse I should stop. I don't want to hurt your feelings..."
"No, it's not that touchy a subject. It's kind of relaxing, actually."
"What is?"
"For me... to talk about my past."
"We'll talk later, in the morning."
"It's just about morning."
"When we wake up."
"We... I'm still so greatful, even though I might not look it. Thank you very much."
"Seriously, it's no problem at all."
"No, it really is. I'm sorry for getting in the way of your duties."
"You haven't even gotten in the way once! Relax, it's REALLY no trouble at all."
"..."
"Let's just get some rest, okay?"
"Of all the lizardmen I've met... you are by far the kindest..."
"Heh... well, thanks." Without warning, Karma put her arms around Jacobie and her face fell into his chest. She cried.
"Thank you! Thank you!"
"Jeese!" Jacobie was taken aback by this sudden outburst. I guess it can't be helped, he told himself. He put an arm around her and she calmed down a bit, still shaking slightly.
"Thank you... I can't tell you how much this means to me."
"It's fine. You don't have to worry anymore. Now get some rest, okay?"
"Okay... Thank you again..."
"You're welcome."
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