Chapter 9: The Manifestation of Delia

Chapter 9 The Manifestation of Delia

Let us at least leave here invisibly Alys, I told Alysin, seeing she wasn't sure what to do, That way we can avoid everyone. I would think folk will want to know what’s going on, let alone congratulate her some more if Eroy didn’t give away what just happened moments ago. It would seem all the better for her to be mysteriously gone than for the long and complex truth of the entire situation to come out and sound more crazy than her disappearing.

But I want to tell evewyone good bye, Alys debated. She couldn’t comprehend the awkwardness of the situation at hand. She knew it to be polite to say good bye and not disappear without a word. I sighed, feeling exasperated and unable to think of a new course of plan to keep her from going home.

Leave a note if you must. I promise we’ll come back one day to let everyone know you’re alright. That seemed to please her. She smiled, picked up a piece of chalk and on her tablet wrote good bye and signed Alysin. Before I knew it, I was invisible with her and heading out the door on our trek home.

Leaving the city was easy enough though it was obvious the energy among the folk was different. It would seem as though they knew something happened between Eroy and Alysin. 
The journey home felt like eternity. There was nervous excitement radiating through Alys. Despite having a few hours to think of talking Alysin out of seeing her father, nothing came that could talk her out of it.

As Alysin came to the edge of Taibujlon, she became visible, wanting to be recognized, though at the moment thoughts of how she was a performer were not present. It had been nearly 3 years since she had left and here she was taller, physically healthier and yet distinguishably the same. Her hair down her back was dark brown  and curly as ever. Her face was still fair and had a little roundness to it still.

It wasn’t surprising to me when those on the street took no notice to her. They would look her way, then away as though they looked upon a common stranger. Alysin rarely ever went to town when she was living at home. The way Davin hated her, he made it a point to isolate her (and I’m sure because he was trying to keep a good image of himself despite the way he treated her).

However the deeper she went into town heading home, a few more eyes gave a knowing look. Alys felt a bit embarrassed to be drawing attention, but she also really enjoyed it. It was surprising at first as to why people were starting to make second glances at her but it became clear when I spotted someone with a poster. How easily I forgot she was a performer. And from what Eroy said, he wasn’t lying. She was practically famous.

Alysin kept moving forward trying to get home before getting mobbed by people who now seemed eager to meet her and see her perform. Thankfully Taibujlon was a small and humble town and kept their distance despite how obviously curious they were of Alysin.

We then came to the porch of the home that has caused her much pain. Alysin stood outside her old home for a minute. There were more than a few eyes still trained on her from a distance trying to piece the puzzle together as why Lomisc little star would be at Davin van Delia’s door. Feeling more nervous than excited now, Alysin made the daring choice to knock.

The door opened a few seconds later to reveal Mayrid. She did a double take half stunned to see Alysin before her. Her wide eyes looked past Alysin to see some of the fellow people from town trying to catch a peek as to what was going on.

“Foolish girl get inside!” Mayrid hissed. As soon as Alysin was past the threshold, her step mother slammed the door. She moved away from her quickly, beginning to shut the curtains in the main room. Once the windows were covered, Mayrid began to pace back and forth, looking at Alysin once in awhile.

“Is dad home?” Alys asked. Mayrid froze mid stride and looked straight on at Alysin, her eyes smoldering in a rage that even I didn’t quite comprehend.

“No,” she said curtly.

“Okay, um. What about Othello?”

“Do you really not see how terrible it is that you’re back Yrid?” Mayrid snapped, as though she hadn’t heard Alysin’s question. Alys looked at her dumbfounded. “What possessed you to come back?”

“I just missed home-”

“You really are a clueless little girl!” Mayrid exclaimed, obviously frustrated with Alysin, “How can you still love that man!? Do you honestly not know how close to death you’ve come here? If you want to live I’d suggest leaving now!”

Alys looked heartbroken. This was not the warm welcome she had envisioned  moments ago. The feelings she had when she was so young began to flood in and instantly it was crystal clear to her how coming back was a big mistake. With all that has happened in the past 16 hours, Alys felt suddenly lost. Where would she go now?

We will be alright Alys, I broke in, trying to get her mind off dwelling on all the hurt, let’s get going before Davin gets home.

Alys nodded in answer to me before saying, “Sowwy foe coming Maywid. We’ll go now.”

“Leaving so soon?”

All of us jerked our head toward Davin. All our eyes were wide and scared. I was impressed that I hadn’t heard him enter the house, unless Mayrid was being dishonest. No, her whole demeanor was too stunned for her to have lied about him being home.  In fact, it was odd to see Mayrid react in such a way, especially on Alysin’s behalf. She always seemed to take pleasure in seeing Alys suffer, but now, there seemed to be genuine concern.

“Oh, you thought you’d go unnoticed did you?” Davin continued, “You made quite the name for yourself. So much that as soon as someone recognized you as the performer from Lomisc, it was wild fire in this tiny town. I’m almost surprised our house hasn’t been mobbed by people wanting to come hail you for being so great,” Davin said with disgust and peeked through the curtains. He then turned and stared down his daughter. Alys averted her eyes desperately wanting to disappear. His eyes then darted to me.

“And the blasted cat that attacked me all those years ago,” I  coward myself, not feeling particularly brave without the safety of invisibility.

Do something to keep him away from you Alys. I don’t trust your father, Delia whispered.

No, I’ll be alright, Alys responded. She was being honest in how sure she was of her father, but her racing heart made her response feeble.

“You know what I can’t understand?” Davin interrupted her thoughts, “How you’re still alive. I hired men once I found where you were to kill you and even they were unable to do it. I suppose sometimes you just got to do things yourself.” With that Davin held a metal object at arms length from him aimed at Alys. In the next moment of him pulling it out there was a thunderous sound that rattled the room. Whatever it was missed Alys but left a hole in the wall behind her.

He’s trying to kill you! Delia shouted. Alys stood petrified and continuing to deny such a thing. It was here that Delia could no longer stand just sitting around while no one took action against the man who was fiddling with the devise in his hand.

Delia took control with a shaking wave of malice. The angry and fury etched into every part of her being and the only cure was the blood of Davin.

As Davin raised the object again, seeming to carefully aim this time, Delia barely waved her hand and pinned Davin’s arm against the wall. Once more the thunderous sound shook the house and a window shattered in the process. With another flick of her hand he was sent flying into a bookcase. Mayrid shrieked in fear. I coward on the floor next to Delia. She was right. Alysin had the power and Delia was manifesting her strength.
Delia grabbed at the air as though her hands were wrapping around an invisible rope and yanked them toward her. This sent Davin flying back into the middle of the room at Delia’s feet.

Davin stared into her eyes shocked and gasping for breath. Delia stood above him obviously enjoying the control she had over her father now. Her lips were curled in such a way that it could be taken as a smile or a snarl. She hovered her hand over him and pressed down as though her hand rested on a button. Davin’s face contorted as his brearth became shallow and strained. Delia allowed him just enough breath while the rest of Davin's body was pinned.  

After a few attempts to lift his body off the ground, Davin began to laugh. This struck a nerve in Delia and she pressed harder on the invisible force she had on her father. Davin’s breath became very short and shallow and he had to concentrate to keep breathing.

“Go ahead,” Davin quickly whispered between breaths, “you already murdered once. What’s holding you back Yrid?” he taunted. Delia glared at him before a wicked smile formed on her face.

“You think Alysin could actually murder you?” Delia scoffed, “I’ve been telling her for years to kill you and your poor sap of a daughter loved you too much to lay a finger on you. Never scould I convince her of the evil you are!” Delia snarled. Davin continued to glare at Delia. If what she said struck a chord in him, he didn’t show as he continued to focus on breathing.

“That is why I’m here! To kill you for all the grief you caused to your own flesh and blood!”

“She killed me wife!”

“She was a baby!” Delia spat back. I then heard a snap from Davin. He let out a cry of pain and tried desperately to catch his breath. A rib must have cracked. Delia clamped Davin’s mouth shut to prevent him from crying out more. Then with a soft chuckle to herself said, “You know, Sin was right. Killing you would be too easy. This is so much more enjoyable to see you suffer so! Perhaps it's your turn to experience some of the more painful memories you've caused on Alysin. That mere rib is just the start of her pain.”

I had to leave the room at that. I knew there would be no reasoning with Delia and though I felt Davin deserved death, I certainly didn’t like the idea of torture.

Despite leaving the room, I would get glimpses of what she saw. She broke his finger and leg each of those taking place when she was 9 and 10. Lifting him up and letting him fall to the floor for all the times he knocked the wind out of her. The worst was when he burned her hand. If Davin had any clue as to the pain he caused on his daughter, it read loud and clear now as his face silently contorted in anguish, helpless to the power of Delia.

Once finished with burning his hand, Delia released the force off of Davin. He let out a gurgled cry of pain but remained on the floor, not daring to move. Delia then pulled from her pack the knife she had taken with her when she left. She looked as her father as he cried and moaned in agony.

It was a victory to her and how she wished she could let him die slowly, but even she knew over the past 5 minutes there had been way too much noise and people would be here soon to inquire. With that, Delia reached down and slit her father’s throat. Davin gave a feeble, gurgling cry as the blood spurt from his neck. Delia then watched the life seep out of her father, no trace of remorse in her whole being.

Delia... what are we to do now? I asked, carefully peering around a corner to stare at her. As she craned her head to look in my direction, that was when she remembered Mayrid had been standing there petrified the whole time. She was ashen and looked as though the life had been sucked out from her. She was going into shock from what she had witnessed.

I need to tie up a loose end and then we’ll go, Delia responded looking Mayrid up and down. That seemed to snap Mayrid out of her daze. Before Delia could even move toward her, Mayrid began to say, “No! No! No-” but in two strides Delia was there and had Mayrid's throat slit too. Her step mother clutched at her throat trying to prevent the life spewing from her.  Like a hand trying to prevent the river from flowing, Mayrid attempts to preserve her life was useless and she fell to the floor.

Delia without a second glance left the knife between the two bodies and walked over to where I was. Too weak from the mental horror that I had to witness, Delia picked me up and held me instead of putting me on her shoulders. That’s when we heard the door burst open.

That’s our cue, Delia said and with that she turned us invisible and left the horrific scene of her dead parents to those of the town who came to see what all the commotion was.

Chapter 8: The Manifestation of Aly

Chapter 8 The Manifestation of Aly

Sin looked at the ring on her finger. How perfect it seemed to fit her finger. But now it was a bitter reminder of the words that rang in her ears. He did a grand job at fooling you then hasn’t he?

Sin, I began, feeling pity for this usually pessimistic and irritable personality, you know they’re only saying that to get under your skin. When there was no response, I continued, They covet your success. If I had to make a reasonable guess that made sense, it wouldn’t surprise me if they took advantage of Eroy to unknowingly deliver a cursed item to you. If he had known he wouldn’t have done such a thing to you. You know he loves you.

You know what else makes sense? Sin finally spoke, that Eroy is of Royalty! I’m sure they paid him a pretty penny to work for them. I have no money! I have no status other than a street performer and hunter. Nothing remotely respectable for a Royal family! I’m just another street urchin, she fumed, choking back tears.

With that, Sin took the ring off and threw it across the room. The echo of the ring hitting the wall, then the floor, was short lived but left the room seeming more hollow than it was. I gave Sin her time to control her feelings as she fought the pain that was consuming her.

We’ll leave in the morning,  Sin announced, this place holds nothing for me.

What about those who care for you? I asked.

Hmph. I’m more concerned about getting away from those performers who are ungrateful about what they have.

Then they would win. Are you okay with that, I said, hoping to bait her.  If anything, I didn’t want those folk thinking they could terrorize someone half their age and Sin would be the personality to want revenge. So it was surprising to hear her response.

That’s just it Jiji, they already have won! Over a year they’ve been trying to get me and I let my guard down for over 6 months and this is what happens! They let Alysin, myself, get emotionally attached and exploit it for their purposes! I might as well be hiding once more if I choose to stay here and keep making a living for us.

It was more true than I had thought. If Sin stayed, we would have to forever be on our guard. It would be back to those year home trying to keep our nose clean, hiding whenever trouble arose... very much like tonight how we’re still under the cover of invisibility. It irritated me greatly. This feeling of not wanting them to win, especially after how they’ve harassed my person, was foreign, yet so desirable when paired with the thought of revenge. Even Delia squirmed under the surface of Sin agreeing with my thoughts and feelings.

Even Jiji agrees that you ought to seek revenge, Delia began taking my feelings as an opportunity to persuade Sin, I’m not saying kill them, though I feel that is exactly what this world deserves is to be rid of their existence, BUT to terrorize them. Remind them of what you are! You’re a sorceress and deserve to be treated with respect!

The thought was very tempting, yet Sin somehow couldn’t pull herself to scaring others. She didn’t want to stoop to their level though every part of her being craved for that exact thing.

Until sleep came to silence the mind, Delia, Sin and I kept beating around the bush trying to find a plan of action that satisfied our anger and pain. Unfortunately no such plan was made. As Alysin woke to the battered room the following morning, it was a grim reminder of how unwelcome she was. She began to gather her things so we could make for a quick and silent departure.

“We can’t go! You have a wedding to plan!” Aly said. Alysin shook her head at her make believe friend.

“Aly, he doesn’t love me. It was all a ruse to get me cursed... which somehow has lost it’s effect on me but I’m not safe here any more. I haven’t been for a while now and I’m tired. Eroy has already gone home,” Alysin said as tenderly as she could to her hopeless romantic of a friend. Today it didn’t seem to weird me out as much with Alysin talking to an imaginary person. It seemed therapeutic for her to continue to vent her emotions aloud and get out of her head.

“How can you say that! He got on one knee! That ring is absolutely gorgeous! He’d be a fool to have worked for those men!” Aly said in dismay. The arguing went back and forth. Alysin sounded like a mother being continually pestered with the same exact question reworded 20 different times but politely kept responding and reminding Aly of her answers and reasons.

After Alysin packed and tidied the place once more, Aly was in a huge fit. She demanded Alysin not throw away the one good thing in her life which got her close to yelling back in anger as the pain was still smoldering in her heart at the loss of what she knew to be false love.

Then there was a knock on her room door.  Alysin became visible before answering the door.

“Good morning Alysin,” Eroy said once the door was pulled wide open. A surge of hate, fear, and hope swept through Alysin at the sight of him. She figured him to be gone by now. Yet here he was in sight and how hopeful she was. But as hopeful she was, he did give her the cursed ring and there was no proof he wasn’t working for the performers. This made her very guarded.

Alysin clenched the door, ready to swing it such when that magical shift happened once more. I listened for the voice, thinking maybe Eroy delivered another curse or somehow triggered the childish  curse to come back.

I’m not going to let you ruin this Alysin!

“Alysin?” Eroy asked after what seemed like an eternity of silence.

“Good morning to you too Eroy. You can just call me Aly,” Aly responded putting on a winning smile. He took her hand and gave it s gentle kiss. Aly blushed and ate up the romance. She was a giddy little girl inside a young adult body. However, I saw the look on Eroy’s face before Aly could registered anything other than how handsome he was. He had kissed her left hand, which was bare.

“Um, Aly... where’s the ring?” Eroy asked, his voice questioning.

“Oh! I forgot I had thrown it off last night,” she replied matter-of-factly. With that she turned on her heels and went to the corner of the room she had purposely avoided due to the ring being over there.

“Threw it off?”

“Yep,” came the chipper response, “you see, this ring is actually cursed.” Aly picked it up and began to walk it back over to Eroy. His whole body seemed more composed. Not has carefree when the door first opened. Now he seemed hesitant, assessing what was going on, questioning who this girl was in front of him who seemed very different from the humble, not over the top happy, and less blunt woman he had been dating. He especially tensed at the accusation of him giving her a cursed ring.

“You think I gave you a cursed ring?”

“I know you did.”

“Why would you think I would give you a cursed ring?”

“Okay, from what I’ve been hearing people tell me, is that I’m just a simple, penniless girl. They also said that you’re working for them to help run me out of town and that you never really loved me,” once more Aly said in that matter-of-fact tone with too much chipperness to it. Eroyhind seemed appalled at what he was hearing. Seeing his questioning face, Aly tried to ease his thoughts of worry,

“Oh don’t worry! I know you love me and I love you! I’m so excited to be a princess and to enjoy all the fun and wonderful things that only royalty can do,” and topped it off with that charming smile of hers. Eroy took a step back.

“Alysin,” he said, taking time to think of the words he wanted to say, “why do you love me?” Aly gave him a gave that suggested that it was a silly and easy question he could have asked.

“Because you’re the prince! And by all means, you’ve been the kindest, sweetest prince I’ve ever met! I mean, you’re the only prince I’ve even met, but from what I’ve heard, definitely the best!”

Eroy didn’t have to say anything. I could see it in his eyes. The same look was there when Sin was convinced that he didn’t love her and had betrayed her. Now it was Eroy’s eyes that said that he had been the fool. How my own heart ached at what was unraveling before me.

The performers had lied. Eroy wasn’t working for them. It was all too evident in his whole body language. He fell in love with Alysin. If only Alysin was able to have kept control maybe things could have been better said, better explained in a way that Eroy could still see the woman he fell in love with and not the imaginary friend who doesn’t have a clue.

That got me thinking. Alysin had 6 personalities now. No wonder Aly was able to take control. Her mind must be a feeble mess trying to make sense of things and handle everything life has thrown at her. But the scarier part was if it was that easy for Aly. the make believe friend, to manifest, then what was holding Delia back?

I snapped out of my realizations. Eroy had begun to turn, his face still heavy with disbelief.

“Where are you going Eroy?” Aly asked, “I’ll come with-”

“No!” Eroy said firmly. This stopped Aly in mid step. “I don’t know what’s going on... but I find it impossible to believe for months I’m the one who’s been played the fool Alysin. I thought I found someone who loved me for being an ordinary person. Someone who didn’t care about money. A smart girl who’s self sufficient and cared for those around her. For you to claim my ring is cursed is... insulting!” Eroy took a moment to breathe and look into the shocked, brown eyes of Aly’s, “I’m sorry Alysin. But if this is how you act after a proposal, then what am I to expect for a 100 years down the road?”

Eroy turned his back and without looking back left Aly in her doorway with the ring still in her hand. Aly, seeming unaffected by what just happened kept an optimistic outlook, thinking Eroy would change his mind and come back for her.

Aly, he’s not coming back, I attempted to explain.

He will Jiji. You wait and see.

How would you feel if you went to him the morning after you gave him a very precious gift and found him claiming it to be cursed and not wearing it? This made it through her thick head. She for a moment felt hurt at the thought of her gift being rejected.

Well... if he explained it well enough I suppose I would believe him. Wait! Suppose if I go around town wearing the ring maybe that’ll show that I’m devoted to him and he’ll see my proof that I love him! And just like that, the memory of the ring being cursed was gone and the ring back on her finger. Little Alysin was back and soon the thoughts of last night and this morning came rushing in.

Oh Jiji! What am I to do? I can’t be a pwincess and I can’t stay heeya. What if the people in the next town hate me too? Alys lamented.

We’ll make new friends Alys. They will learn to love you. Some people can’t see how amazing you are and I’m sure once they see you’re gone, they’ll wish they had you back for all the good you brought to the community, I responded encouragingly. Yet even that was the wrong choice of words to say.

Alysin’s head came up and thought about what I said. Then a big happy smile stretched across her face.

You might be wight Jiji, I mentally patted myself on the back, but then came the shocking announcement, maybe dad has been wishing to see me again foe yeaws now! Alysin said excitedly. Quickly she put on her pack and began to head out the door announcing, “We’re going back home!”

With how dramatic everything had been over the past 12 hours, it was comforting to see Alysin cheerful. But  going back to that broken home did not seem like a good idea. Once more, Delia and I agreed and thought in unison, No!

Chapter 7: The Manifestation of Alys

Chapter 7 The Manifestation of Alys

Alysin wasted no time the next day seeking out knowledge of curses. Technically she had been cursed with the poison, but that, as we discovered, was classified as dark magic. What we did find was curses are usually linked with an item that is to be worn or consumed. We didn’t know how hard they would try or if they would try. Alysin was optimistic that  they would  realize she was just a nice girl who wasn’t trying to show them up. If anything, she was improving their business by making them think bigger and better.

It came as no surprise in the months to follow that many attempts were made to put a curse on Alysin. At first other entertainers would try to come forward and offer her petty gifts like scarves and hats. Soon they began to escalate into jewelry and secret gifts. After many refusals of exquisite rings, earrings, and necklaces and neglecting the mystery gifts, the entertainers caught on quickly that Alysin was far smarter than they had anticipated.

By mid fall, the attempts to curse  had ceased to exist for 3 weeks. We began to feel like we could relax. That proved to be a terrible idea. It wasn’t so much us letting our guard down, but how we forgot we were still being watched.

Before I knew that we were still being watched, Alysin made a new friend. I recognized him from standing toward the back of her performances.  He looked young, but his ears defining him as an elf made me wonder if he really was since they age so differently than the average folk.

You have an admirer, I informed Alysin after a performance. Knowing who I meant she blushed a little.

I’ve noticed.

I see you like him to some degree? A deeper shade of red crossed her face and for a moment I thought I was going to loose her to Van.

Yes, but I don’t see why he’d come to the same show over and over again without saying saying something. You would think he’d be bored after watching the exact same thing over 10 times this month.

Perhaps you should introduce yourself to him. Horror of the thought flashed across Alysin’s head before I added, just to tell him to come next month. We both chuckled under our breaths, the redness in Alysin’s face subsiding. As the audience continue to disperse, so did Alysin’s admirer. There was mild disappointment with his absence, but sure enough he was back the following day.

Alysin gave a slight variation to her usual route for the month, now feeling feeling pressured by the presence of the familiar face let alone acknowledging the she did have an interest in him. This of course was well received by the crowd. The applause at the end was full of energy, begging for more dazzling entertainment.

As the crowd moved on, I noticed the young elf lingering, looking intent  to approach Alysin. Knowing my thoughts, she began to gather up her things to avoid having to talk to him or make eye contact. It was endearing to know how self conscious she was of her worth when feeling someone had found favor of her in their eyes. Then again, being singled out by people had proven many times for Alysin to be disastrous, so there was a hint of nervousness with the unknown intentions of this folk as he drew near.

“Hi,” the elf said almost shy like. Alysin looked up as though she hadn’t noticed him. The poor girl was already blushing in his presence.

“Hi,” Alysin managed to say.  She averted her eyes, looking humble to be in his presence.

Ask him if he liked the performance or for his name, I told her, trying to get her to fill in the few second silence.

“Oh,” she responded to me at first before directing her question to the elf, “Did you like the show?”

“Oh yes. It is quite amazing the animals you create with the fire and have dancing around,” the boy responded with a smile that stretched ear to ear, “Who is your teacher?”

“I actually never had one,”  Alysin said feeling a twinge of embarrassment for being untrained.

“You’re kidding me right?”

“Nope. I never had enough money to pay for a tutor,” Alysin confessed. The elf seemed to be in disbelief by the words coming out of Alysin’s mouth.

“Then you must be a true sorceress. There is no way someone untrained in their magic gift should be able to harness their magic in the way you do it,” he said in complete wonder, “I’m lucky to keep a ball of fire going in my hand. Muro (muhr),”at the word a fireball appeared in his hand.  He tossed it back and forth a few times before he lost control of it and it fell. Before it hit the ground, Alysin took control of it, bring it back up to eye level.

“I suppose you just need to practice more,” Alysin advised. The boy scoffed, but Alysin didn’t seem to notice. She was really loving how easy he was to talk to and was reminded of how she use to be able to talk with her brother all the years to go like she did now.

“By the way, my name is Alysin,” she said, tipping her head in his direction.

“I know who you are Alysin van Delia, Lomisc little star!” the elf responded.

“What? I’ve never given myself such a title.”

“Obviously you never needed too. I’m east of Lomisc in Aundhir and though we are 3 days journey, story has been spread that you have brought great revenue to the town in the past 2 years from your show of display. You’re pretty much a novelty attraction.” Alysin was now in disbelief.

“That’s silly. I’m just a performer of many,” she debated. I added in my thoughts about the other performers greatly disliking her and that brought some reason into view, “I suppose that would make sense to how successful I’ve been... You haven’t told me your name still,” Alysin said, attempting to take the spotlight off of her.

“Oh, sorry,” he said with some hesitation, “Um, heh, my name is Eroyhind (Er-row-hin-d). Most people call me Eroy for short.”

“Just Eroyhind? You seem to know my full name. Is that all I’m to know of my biggest fan,” Alysin teased. There was something on his mind as he decided whether or not to give her his full name.

“Eroyhind Mjlæathin (Mil-ae-ya-thin),” Eroy said. His demeanor seemed intent on seeing what Alysin now would do. She just smiled like she just beat him at a game.

“Well, nice to meet you Mr. Mjlæathin. Now how is it you’ve been able to stay here for almost a month, 3 days from home?” Alysin asked. Some relief seemed to ebb into Eroy’s face.

“The same way you seem to be able to go where you please at age 13.”

“Well stalker, if you’ve done your homework, then you know I had good reasons to leave my home. What are yours?”

“Well, I’m 19 for one and old enough to go anywhere my young, adventurous heart desires. I just so happen to be enjoying the entertainment here and you have been a great source of inspiration that here in a few weeks when I return home I’ll have a report for my teacher to see if he is able to help me replicate the amazing wonders you perform,” he paused in his explanation, “that is unless you would like to teach me?”

“Sorry, I don’t mean to laugh, but I wouldn’t know where to start,” Alysin said honestly. She really wouldn’t since no one’s taught her how to channel it with verbal instructions. Eroy smiled.

“Well, then I suppose in a few weeks time I’m destined to return home.” He looked away for a moment. Alysin’s eye too looked away, her heart wishing the conversation hadn’t been so warm and wonderful. Everything in her head gave her hope of Eroy possibly being someone great to her, but knowing he was to leave soon left little hope that this possible courtship could be lasting.

Eroy looked back and observed Alysin’s soft demeanor. Something in him seemed to hold him back, yet the eyes looked like he had set upon a decision about what was to happen between them.

“Alysin,” Eroy began, “would you mind if I shadowed you for the next few weeks? I feel drawn to you and would really enjoy getting to know you more if that wouldn’t be too bold of me to ask.” He looked nervous, as though Alysin was so superior to him and the thought of her accepting someone as inferior as he was out of line. However, I knowing Alysin, knew before she said it, that she would be pleased to have his company. Both were giddy and Eroy nearly whooped his excitement as he walked away after promising to be at the Tavern she stays at first thing in the morning.

That night as Alysin talked to one of the Tavern maids about the young elf she met that day, she discovered some interesting news. Eroyhind Mjlæathin is the elf Prince of Aundhir.  The maid said it couldn’t have been him because it would have been a grand occasion and it would be known by now if it was him.

Alysin went to her room, unphased by the news. If he was the elf Prince, wow. What an honor that she found favor in his sight. If not, then she still had someone who she thought was quite charming. We also decided not to pry either since that was quite possibly one reason he was hesitant about giving his name or he was seeing if Alysin would fall for the Prince’s name better than his own true name. Only time would tell.

Something else that was interesting that night was the sudden surprise of Aly. She was overly excited to hear about this Prince. I was a bit surprised how easily Alysin slipped back into talking to her imaginary friend when last I had heard her talking with Aly was around age 10. But even before that it was rare for Aly to suddenly show up after Sin manifested. I let the girls chat and play while I curled up for a good night sleep.

Once more time slipped by quite quickly. Eroy kept his promise and was outside the Tavern first thing that morning. He tagged along for a hunt and proved even he with his arrows was quite skilled. The two bonded and before Alysin knew it, it was time for Eroy to leave for home. He gave her a token to keep, a coin with the Aundhir’s emblem (a griffin) on it and a kiss on the cheek as a promise he’s come back.

Alysin held coin close to her heart. She had never received so much as a kind gift and love from any one person her whole life like she had the 2 weeks she got to spend with Eroy. Part of her wanted to go, but the Tavern and the people who lived and went there were very much like family to her despite the tension between her and the other performers. Let alone the idea of traveling off with the elf alone seemed indecent to do.

Eroy did return frequently. It became well known around town that Alysin was being courted. All were happy for her, even the other showmen, though their joy was for selfish reasons.

Winter melted into spring. Spring brought forth warmth. Then the warmth began to swelter into Summer. The day of Alysin’s birthday, Eroy had been gone for a month now. Alysin had hoped he’d be back for it, but had lost hope.  She was feeling hurt, but she was coaxed to come down stairs immediately.

In the square the square there was a great fan fare. We could hear the announcement of the Royal family from Aundhir arriving. This was mid afternoon that they had made their arrival. Everyone, including Alysin, seemed to be surprised by just a grand and unexpected affair. But what no one had anticipated was seeing Eroyhind in the midst with the King and Queen. He looked very different from what she had seen him as. He was dressed in fine clothes with his hair groomed in fine braids adorned with his circlet. It was almost unbelievable to see him in just rich attire. It was unreal that the past many months she had been seeing the Prince of Aundhir!

As the commotion died down and the Mayor of the town came out to properly greet the royal family. He was obviously rushed to put on his best outfit deemed acceptable to be in the their presence. Before whisking them away, Eroy had an announcement to make.

“People of Lomisc. Our presence not by chance. We are here today to celebrate with you a special occasion. Today is Alysin van Delia’s 16th birthday! Lomisc’s little star is grown up!” There is a shout of joy and complete admiration as understanding dawned on everyone that the elf Alysin was dating truly was the same Eroyhind they knew to be the Prince.

Alysin was pushed forward to go stand with Eroy. You would have thought all the years of performing would have made her less shy, but her face was red and her eyes averted from the attention she was now in the middle of. Oh how she kicked herself mentally for doubting he’d forgotten about her and her special day.

The King and Queen had planned out a grand celebration for the whole town to enjoy, even hiring some of the local entertainers to perform.I suppose they were somewhat more grateful now to have had Alysin happen in their town to the sudden small wealth they now carried.

The day was coming to an end, the festivities beginning to die down. Eroy got up to thank the town for letting him and his family intrude on their town for this occasion. But before he finished he began to tell everyone how when he first came out to see the little star of Lomisc, how his one goal was to be perceived as any ordinary folk. How he was enchanted by her and it had taken 3 weeks to muster up the courage to approach her to say hi, and how that had been the best decision ever. He was also relieved to find that she didn’t know who he was just from his name and how it truly made him feel she grew to love him for him as a common folk and not the royalty he is.

With that, he knelt down next to her presenting her with a ring and asking her to stay with him throughout the rest of their lives. Alysin, unable to control her emotions wrapped her arms around Eroy and kissed him. When she broke she enthusiastically told him yes. The town cheered. The love there was greater than any single person could hold. Tears were flowing left and right and even I felt the need to paw at my eyes from the overflow of joy in Alysin’s heart. If only I had known then how bittersweet this all would be in the following 12 hours.

Eroy kissed her long and hard before placing the ring onto Alysin’s finger. The ring was a rose. the petals were different shades of gold and nestled in the heart of the petals a gleaming diamond. The stem coiled around her ring finger just right. Then I felt the shift.

Alysin?  I asked.

What Jiji? a high pitched voice responded.

You don’t sound like yourself.

I don’t know what you could possibly mean. Maybe you the one who’s heawing funny. And like that Alys gave herself away to me. Her mind was like her 5 year old self again. Being center of attention was exciting and becoming a princess was even better. I knew it was well worth having her get to bed as soon as possible. Thank goodness the proposal happened so late in the day, there is at least a chance Alysin won’t give herself away to everyone else.

All of this had happened in the matter of seconds and Eroyhind thankfully kissed Alys’s hand and bid her a good night. Tomorrow morning she would travel back with Eroy to prepare for her wedding.

Alys skipped back to her room. With the door shut, she and Aly began to chatter about the excitement of her becoming a Princess. I worried some that those i the next rooms or down stairs would hear the vocal play, but it sounded as though people came into the tavern below to continue the celebration in Alysin’s honor.

A few more hours had past and it was well into the night now. Alys had finally laid down trying to rest when suddenly her bedroom door flew open. Instinctive to her 5 year old self she went invisible, taking me with her. She scrambled to the corner of the room staring with wide eyes at the folk dressed in black and decorative masks entered the room.

“We know you’re in here little girl!” one folk growled. 2 of the 6 figures lingered in front of the door to prevent Alys from sneaking out. The men then began to make quick work of destroying her room, throwing books across the room, ripping her pillows and bedding. Her clothes were thrown on the floor only to be dealt with like the bed.

Glass shattered next to Alys’s head, a scream almost escaping her lips. The scare made her jump unfortunately onto a shard of glass and now Sin took over. She glared at the men in her room destroying her things.

Come on Sin, just kill all 6 of them. They’ve been asking for it. They know your power and fear it! Delia tempted Sin.

I’m not a murderer Delia! But these folk will pay for the things they’ve done to me! Sin promised. Delia seemed pleased at the thought. By this time the men had finished what they set out to do. They obviously didn’t want to harm Alysin, but to terrorize her.

“You finished?” Sin bated. This caught their attention, their bodies shifting as they alerted to the question. One of them took to it, most likely the very performer who’s been set on getting rid of her.

“Take a good look at this room little girl!” he yelled, sticking his finger out in the air as though to jab Sin with it, “If you don’t get out of our town, you’ll wish this was all we had done!” Sin gave a small, audible chuckle, all the figures tensing as their attempts to scare her were being mocked.

“I’m afraid if you dared to do anything remotely similar to what you’ve done to this room you will find yourselves groveling under my power,” Sin retorted. It was more than the folk could stand.

“I thought that ring was cursed!” one of the folk shouted at the leader.

“Didn’t you curse the ring with the child mentality?” asked another. It was obvious the leader was at a loss for words. By the way he kept clenching and unclenching his hands, he was under pressure to appease his fellow peers who thirsted for revenge on the girl who stole their limelight.  I had almost thought he was about to storm off, but he managed to pull one more trick out of his sleeve.

“Well, then,” he started slow and calculated, “how does feel to know your true love was only working for us?” Sin’s head jerked up to it’s full high. The other’s posture’s seemed to relax as they grunted their consent to the question at hand.

“Don’t try to lie to me,” Sin spat back. The folk smiled knowing he hit a nerve.

“He did a grand job at fooling you then hasn’t he,” he continued, letting the words come out slow, to let Sin be able to hear him clearly, “Too bad you’ll have to find out tomorrow he’s already gone without a goodbye. Did you really think he’d fall for a penniless street performer when he can have any girl he wants?” With that, the men all left, leaving the bitter words fresh in the air.

A pang of hurt rushed through Sin. Was it lies? It did seem too good to be true... and how was it that the very ring he gave to her did curse her for a moment with her childish complex? For once, Sin felt an emotion I had never known her capable of holding. Though none of the men purposely attacked her in the room physically or with spells, Sin was left paralyzed on the floor in a new found pain even she couldn’t bare. Sin now was suffering from a broken heart.

Chapter 6: Cat to the Rescue

Chapter 6 A Cat to the Rescue

The beauty of Lomisc was everything we could remember after 5 years apart from the grand city. The trip was longer than I remembered, but that could be due to Alysin, I mean Van, and I taking a moment to hunt for breakfast. She had held onto the knife she  held aimed at her father when she disappeared in front of him. To her, it was a token of how she conquered the man whom oppressed her for so long and a reminder not to go back.

So with our stomachs satisfied we walked into town taking in the sights that seemed so familiar from that distance memory of years before. Van’s head was filled with excitement, but not the same excitement that was full of wonder and curiosity when she was 8. Instead it was full of business plans. She observed the performers, mentally noting what their tricks were. The same note danced across her mind  about how they had to use magic words to perform their magic.

As the day came to a  close, Van then began to search for a place for us to be for the night. She knew there was no way we would be able to rent a room, so the first night we ended up both being invisible and finding a warm corner in a tavern loft above the fireplace.

This will be temporary Jiji. I have plans to earn a living and therefore we won’t have to sneak about like this,Van said, easing my thoughts of having to sneak once more in a place that should be more welcoming.

What do you plan on doing? I asked.

I already told you. I want to perform. Did you notice anyone out there my age? Nope. I have to wonder if that’ll give me an edge.

What new thing will you show them that they don’t already do?

They make things appear and disappear using props. No distracting props would be needed since I wouldn’t have anything to hide. I suppose I could sport the magic I know how to control. I can make anything disappear and reappear. I can levitate light items, like you. And I suppose I could bring a touch of fire into the act as well as my knife skills. I just need to figure out a routine, practice it, and find a spot to stand and perform, Van elaborated.  It did seem like a good idea. She wouldn’t need any props and her youth would be a great difference among the adults of various ages.

Her mind began to play ideas of how she would go about putting on her show. She had a solid strategy and the game plan was to practice for a while to work out kinks before taking it to the stage. As her mind continued to race, I soon drifted to sleep to the hum of her thoughts.

The next morning was relieving to find that we hadn’t been discovered. It was truly difficult to honestly leave the comfort of the warm tavern. The smell of meat being cooked was mouth water to our hungry bellies, but somehow we managed to escape temptation and go off to hunt for the morning.

While hunting I noted once more Alysin was back. She still thought about what she would do performance wise though now there was a sense of nervousness and giddy excitement.

The days rushed on in a continual need to hunt and practice her performance. We would also go observe the other performers continually just to make sure Alysin wasn’t copying spell for spell nor move for move. It was tempting to do such a thing since neither of us had any experience putting on a show.

She didn’t go unnoticed in town. Many saw us eating what we were able to hunt and the tavern at which we had been staying for a few month too long unpaid, offered us a room if we would help provide them with fresh game. Alysin took it as an honor and was excited to finally be able to make an honest work and not have to sneak invisibly into homes for a warm place to sleep (especially since it was now winter and the icy weather was quite unbearable).

Though winter hunting always proved more difficult,  Alysin would practice her fire making more on top of her other tricks. Hunting was hard work. She knew she still wanted to perform, but she also didn’t want to go sneaking around until she felt in control enough to perform her act. She also improved on her levitating  items , especially when she began to hunt bigger game like deer. It was almost impossible for her to drag the first deer home but she barely managed as she worked on bringing it home with the help of levitation.  

It wasn’t unknown that she was some kind of spell caster, but there was some suspicion when they would find out she was half elf, half  human. Humans rarely were gifted to be able to handle or channel magic. Her being a sorceress was fascinating and unnerving, but being a young teenage girl, rapidly approaching her 14th’s birthday, no one felt threatened by her abilities. Teachers would come to inquire of her and once they realized she was on her own with no family and no money, they would go away, not bothering to train and teach her proper usage of her abilities.

There was also an odd rush of excitement... actually, I think it was more of fear. There was some kind of evil leaving it’s mark on people, possessing them to where they were subject to the will of the controller’s choosing. At the time, it was unknown to us that this evil was human, but that is the reason behind hesistance when it came to humans, especially humans who could work magic.

It didn’t help much either with the sense of suspicion when in late summer, Alysin now being 14, to witness a full out brawl of folk taking a subject into custody. The fellow was odd and didn’t seem all there, but as the guards laid hands on him to take him away, the He folk began to scream and plead exclaiming he wasn’t marked. The town was in a buzz of gossip, rumors, and suspicions for months. The fear that the mark has made it’s way north into Lomisc was scary for everyone, friends and neighbors now being on edge.

Alysin was now an incredible hunter. Each week she would come into town with a deer and plenty of other small, wild game. A few months back she was gifted a set of throwing knives. Not the best by any means, but worlds better than the random, kitchen styled knives she was use to using, though she still held the one from home close to her as a reminder. But with the gift of the proper knives, it was incredible how effective they were in killing her prey. How the design and weight of them really made for quick throws and longer distances.

Luckily Alysin hadn’t shifted into her other personalities in a long time. I had worried that if Sin came out that would put people on edge that suddenly this happy and optimistic girl was suddenly depressed and moody. It really had been so long that by the time spring came back again I found myself surprised this certain day.

With Lomisc still in a somewhat cautionary mood, Alysin felt today was a day to go put on her show to lighten the mood. The usual excitement that had been around many months ago, but dampered with the recent events of possibly markings in the great city, left few performers keeping their act up. With no knowledge or learned fear of this strange magic, unlike the other performers, she felt perfectly safe going out into the midst of strangers to try and bring some joy.

She found a spot and placed near her a bowl. It was standard for a performer to put some means of device out to hold any tips they might earn. Nervously Alysin looked out amidst the folk walking around. I could see between the folk passing some of the performers. Alysin already had caught their eye as they looked seeing what it was she would do, knowing that familiar stance and looking about. Alysin caught my thoughts on that and sent a quick look in their directions. I could already feel the nerves kick in.

No harm in trying Alysin. The worst that could happen is we continue to hunt for the rest of our life, I told her, trying to soothe her nerves with a touch of humor. But what was holding her back was her lack for words. What should she say? Then it came to me, that’s it Alysin!

What’s it?

Don’t say a thing! I’m sure these people are tired of being badgered by entertainers vying for their attention with flashy words year in and year out. Why not just entertain yourself and see who happens to stop and enjoy?

Alysin thought about it and seemed to agree that that would be the easiest way to start her little act, except her act was based off explaining everything she was about to do.... so what now?

Alysin created a small fire ball in her hand. She let the small orb hover over her hand. Soon she began to move it, playing with it as though it were a ball. This caught a few eyes. There wasn’t anything grand about her juggling a small, flaming sphere, but those who saw it appear from nowhere paused for a moment to watch. Alysin then tried to maneuver the fire into shapes around her, arching from one hand to the other, but she lost focus all of a sudden and before I knew it, a fire ball crashed before me. I puffed up and gave a yowl of surprise. This was received with laughter and scoffs from the other performers. They obviously found her to be no threat seeing she was just a newcomer.

As the embarrassment tried to set in I felt the shift in her head. I looked at her fearing the worst, that she burned herself when the fireball fell to my feet. That Sin was back. But her calm mind and no agonizing curses, I eased somewhat when it was Van who came back. She held her head up high and this time ignited a larger fireball. Van liked the idea of not having to speak. Instead it was her intention now to show how great she was over silly tricks the performers would do.

Van began to have almost a dance, unchoreographed, with the fireball. She whizzed it left and right, in circles all around he. She would pretend she was about to go out of control and even scare a few onlookers by sending the fireball toward them. And after 5 or so minutes of just playing with fire, she sent the fireball high into the sky and let it combust with a bang.

The crowd clapped enthusiastically. It was the excitement they needed. Some even seemed disappointed the show was so short. Van wiped the sweat from her face and as she sat down next to me to catch her breath, we began to hear the clinking sounds of coins falling into our little bowl. It wasn’t a lot, but we had enough for a few days worth of eating. Yet the day was still young and with the town being as large as it was, there was bound to be more people mid afternoon and evening.

Van continued to entertain the crowd and it would seem that  more and more folk came out from hiding. There truly hadn’t been this many folk out since the commotion, many months ago, of the  mark.  

With the large crowd setting in, the other performers quickly went out among the folk to set up their stations and to see what money they could generate. It wasn’t hard to see the town was fascinated by Van’s performance, something new and very different from the performers who had been in the town for a year too long.

Even Van knew it was a profession of continual change. Either you find something new and exciting to out do yourself with or you scope out a new and city to dazzle with your same act. Van made it a goal that as the time goes on, that every month she would change her act.

By the next day, Alysin was back once more and with the confidence of the day before found herself in control entertaining the crowd of folk with her fire dance. She began plotting next month. She began experimenting changing the color of the fire. Pink, white, yellow, blue, green, purple and more. Each day she would alternate the color she would channel. Then the big bang at the end she began to work on turning into an explosion of sparks that would rain down but before touching anything would burn out

The success of Alysin’s act was huge. Bigger than I could have anticipated. She paid the tavern back for the few months of unpaid stay when we were hiding. She still would go hunt once a week  on her ‘day off’ so as to not let down the tavern who seemed to really benefit from her steady delivery of game. She was adored by all, that is except the other performers who felt threatened by her greatness. Though they were still received warmly by many onlookers, they still loathed this young girl who was a natural at what she did.

Attempts were made to take her spot of performance, seeing if maybe that would help them catch the eye of the folk passing by better. Yet it didn’t matter where Alysin performed. All any folk had to do was keep an ear or eye open for the finally and go over to watch the next show in 10 minutes.

As I took in all of the attempts to thwart Alysin’s success, I began to keep tabs of the performers. I noticed as summer set in that the group began to sit together, in a tight group trying to look engrossed by their own business, but their business was what to do with Alysin since their eyes always seemed to drift in our direction.

Then one fine day after performing, one of the performers came up to Alysin. Alysin being polite and always seeing the good in people smiled warmly to her peer.

“Can I help you?” she asked.

“I just wanted to thank you for your performance. It is astounding what you have done fire and ice this month,” he praised. Alysin blushed and looked down trying to seem humble and as though her magic wasn’t something to be praised for.

“I’m just having fun.”

“I can see,” with that, he held out his hand and Alysin took it and gave it a polite shake. Unexpectedly I felt a shift happen and felt the hair on my back raise up. I could hear Sin questioning why there was a sharp pain in her wrist. She jerked her hand back and glared at the man.

“What was that for!” She almost half yelled. The man smiled and carefully placed the object he used to stab her back in his pocket.

“Hardly a prick my dear. No need to get so hostile over an accident,” he sneered.

“Well, the jokes on you. If that was an attempt to harm me and prevent my hands from performing, trying again,” Sin bated. I was cringing inside. I worried her sudden change in personality would be cause for alarm among the folk who took any odd behavior for a sign of the mark. Fortunately the performer took no notice of it

“I’m not here to prevent you from performing. I just wanted to let you know of a new trick I have involving savgch (save-gech [the ‘ch’ pronounced in the German pronunciation]).” I did not what he said but Sin was appalled even more by the performer.

“Take your cheap, dark magic elsewhere. Go terrorize some other naive soul with it,” with that, Sin gathered up her  money and with me close behind her went back to our room.

Careful Sin, I warned.

He’s the one who ought to be watching himself. I could terrorize him with my eyes closed if I wanted.

I’m sure you can, but just keep in mind that tension is still high here in Lomisc. Let us not draw attention to ourselves.

They know who I am, Sin attempted to defend.

They know who Alysin is, I corrected.

Still look the same don’t I? They can all burn if they are stupid enough to believe I’m any different.

I was too exasperated to try and continue to reason with Sin. I just didn’t want her to be taken away from me. All I could do was hope she’d go keep to herself, that no one would want to talk with her the rest of the day and that the next day would come soon after.

There were some folk she had to communicate with, but luckily it was small talk and with Sin’s noticeable wound, they seemed to deem the dampered mood on being hurt. Sin even went to bed early lending me some moments of peace.

In the morning, a few weeks before Alysin’s 15th birthday, the day seemed to start off normally. The wound really wasn’t all that bad. The performer much have struck a vein, making the puncture seem worse than it was.

Alysin, as usual, was back. She made her way down stairs and ordered some breakfast. She thought how fortunate she was to have the means to eat 3 square meals a day and nibble on snacks here and there. Almost 2 years now she had been away from her family and it has proven so far to be more healthy for her. She keeps getting taller and her hair's still curly and thick as every.

However,  the day was not to remain peaceful and collected. If I thought yesterday’s appearance of Sin was scary, I was in for a new surprise once Alysin walked out the front door of the tavern.

The very performer who shook Alysin’s hand was set up right outside the Tavern. He was in the middle of his performance, but as soon as he caught sight of Alysin, he smiled an evil smile. He quickly ended the trick he was showing only to tell the audience he had a new trick he wanted to show them. He proceeded to unveil a large cage with 20 different birds all perched and waiting. Alysin knew some of them were ravens and crows. Even an eagle was in the midst, but the rest were a bit foreign to her knowledge.

It was about a second of looking at the birds before the first one gave a squawk. A jolt of fear swept through Alysin. I knew something was up and as the performer proceeded to open his cage of bird, they all seemed to target Alysin and bursted out of the cage. The performer tried to act surprised wondering why it was his birds were now flying out of control away from him and toward some unknown source.

While the performer looked flustered and embarrassed, in Alysin’s head I could see the fear distorting the birds into something more sinister and frightening. Alysin began to sprint from the birds that made way toward her. She swatted and did her best to dodge the talons, beaks and wings battering her. Any moment I knew Sin would emerge, but also knew how silly it was for Alysin to suddenly be running for an animal. I would fight, but I have reasons to be scared of an eagle, that beast could eat whole.

Fight back! I ordered.

I can’t! I can’t, I- she babbled over and over in her head.

Alysin! Just reach into your satchel, grab your knives, and throw! This should all be instinctual!

Unlike you, I’m not a cat! Yet just like that Alysin shifted. The crying stopped, the fear subsided and her pace quickened even faster. I watched her sprint for her life, then 40 more yards later stop suddenly watching the swarm of birds sail over her. Before I knew it, her knives were in her hand and she began taking each bird down one by one. The ones that made it back to her she would reach out and snatch them by the neck and before they knew what had hit them, their neck was snapped.

There she stood in the midst of 20 dead birds. She began to gather them up when the guards caught up to us. My heart sank as they approached cautiously. It was evident that she was to go with them. I carefully walked up to Alysin’s leg and immediately became invisible.

“Alysin,” the guard said, “we need you to come with us. We have some questions that need to be asked in private.” Alysin’s eyes were wide and I could feel her heart race. Run and hide kept replaying as well in her head. Her whole thought process had a very familiar feel to it. It seemed very familiar, but not in the way I knew her, Van and Sin... she was personifying a cat personality! It was baffling how she was able to pull something like that off in such a random moment of fear.

Realizing how she was thinking, I began to explain to her the best way I would explain something to a cat. It’s safe. Go with them and answer their questions honestly.

But the guards never come after me. I’ve seen how people react around them!

Trust me. They can’t hurt you.

Alysin willing went with them into custody. I managed to keep up to be a source of comfort. As we walked back through the main source of town, Van manifested as the embarrassment swept over her. This was a perfect moment for Van. As long as she didn’t get too caught up into trying to prove she’s better, at least Van had a better chance on charming her way out of this.

Sure enough, the commotion that was made had the guards alerted at once. The performer exclaimed that he was just doing his act when suddenly his birds went crazy and flew off. Upon hearing that is was poor Alysin they were attacking, the performer planted into one of the guards ears that he’s heard rumors of animals attacking those who are marked.

Van did very well defending herself.  She thought about using me as an example but I warned her that since I was a familiar that the circumstances are different and therefore she shouldn’t bring me up.

Eventually, just to make absolutely sure, Van was forced to a search. After examining every inch of her body, they then examined her puncture wound. Sure enough there was some kind of poison that when linked with a dark language word, that it would put fear into the person whenever they heard or saw the word. It could now be assumed that birds was the word imprinted on the poison and that the new trick was just birds trained to attack, but Van didn’t mention the possibility of the birds being trained.

That evening the guards escorted Van back to the tavern. She kept her head held high knowing that she was guilty of nothing though the folk there seemed to have heard the rumor the performer was passing around. Before leaving one of the guards handed her a bundle and mentioned how he gathered her knives up for her and that she could have them back.

As Van headed to the stairs, I caught site of the performer, surrounded by the other entertainers. I jumped off Van’s back telling her I’d catch up in a little bit. I carefully worked my way over to the entertainers and began to sit and listen.

“How did she work her way out of that!?”

“She must have charmed her way out of it.”

“No way, charm or not, a mark is a mark and death is the only way out of it!”

“How did she escape this?

“I don’t know,” the performer spoke, “I was sure that the lie of animals attacking those marked would have been a done deal. Let alone I’m out 20 bird now. Curse that girl!” All of the men around the table grew silent. Then all at once seemed to jump on the same key word that was unintentionally said, yet seemed like the exact solution for their problem.

“We'll curse her somehow. Let her be trapped somewhere mentally for the rest of her existence, in a state that will prevent her from wanting to perform and to be susceptible to the will of everyone around her,” the men continued to muse over their new strategy. If only they knew I was there listening in and giving every detail to the very person they were plotting against.

Seeming to sense my thoughts, the entertainers all realized how when Van came home that she was unaccompanied by me. A few curses left their mouth as they all discontinued their meeting until another time, in another tavern now that they saw with their own eyes that she was still around.
But the damage was done. Van and I now knew we still had to be cautious and that none of the entertainers could be viewed as allies. Once more we may be fighting to stay alive.