Part #7 of Shya/ Valin/ Faug

It was true, he thought. Akalu had quite liked the boy, actually, before he decided to cut off something that was good for him. It was a rare thing to find that kind of love in that measure anymore, and that boy had completely killed the chance that he had.
The meal was very quiet at the beginning, and the only really productive thing that happened was that they agreed that the council would be at noon the next day.
“Walk with me,” Telsiel said to Shyasha when they both were done.
Shyasha glared at him for a moment and then rose.
“What?” she demanded as soon as they were out of the hall.
“I have something to tell you,” he began. “And it’s rather important.”
“Spit it out,” Shyasha ordered, with all the authority of a princess, even one who has tried to live it down for four and a half thousand years.
“This way,” Telsiel said.
“Why?” Shyasha demanded.
“I want it to be private,” Telsiel told her shortly.
“If this is about what happened-” Shyasha threatened.
“No, it’s not that,” Telsiel said hurriedly. “I just don’t want people to hear.”
“Why?” Shyasha repeated.
“Just because.”
Shyasha gave him a doubtful scowl and then consented to follow him down the hall, not entirely trusting him. When they had reached a place where Telsiel was certain that they wouldn’t be overheard (having taken several turns and gone down two staircases), he finally turned and said, “I have part of it.”
“Part of the Crystal?”
“Yes.”
“Why is this supposed to be private?”
“Because I didn’t want anybody to know about it.”
“And yet you’re telling me.”
“Yes.”
“Where is it?” Shyasha posed the question as abruptly as possible, keeping her face and voice as impassive and expressionless as possible.
“Why do you want to know?” Telsiel’s voice was suspicious all of a sudden.
“This is something really, really serious. And after what happened, do you honestly expect me to just trust you right off the bat?”
“Yes.”
“What gives you the impression that I would just trust you without verification?”
“Because you’re a girl.”
“I’m a girl, yes, but I’m not an idiot. If you have it, where is it?”
“Promise you won’t tell.”
“I can’t promise that. This entire mission is supposed to be about getting the pieces and destroying them, not keeping secrets and telling lies and getting power. You either have it or you don’t, and if you do, I’d like to see it.”
“Why? So you can have it for yourself?”
“No, so I can take it to the council tomorrow so we can decide what to do with it. Now, give it.”
“Why should I?”
“Telsiel, do you WANT me to hurt you?”
“No.”
“You have it. I can tell. It’s powerful, and it’s got dark magic in it. Sonru wants it back, and he wants to gain power and followers. That’s why he made the Crystal. And he gave part to you, and it’s gotten a hold of you, I can tell.”
“How can you tell?” They began circling each other, like two lions about to kill each other.
“You’re acting really weird. You’re darker. You’re expressionless at best. Ad your eyes aren’t the color they’re supposed to be.”
“What do you mean?”
“Your eyes used to be light blue, not black. And you’re more secretive and forcibly polite. It’s disturbing.”
“Very good.”
“Give it.”
“No. It’s mine. Sonru gave it to me. He told me not to give it to anyone else.”
“What else did he tell you?”
“He said I was one of the most powerful rulers in the world and I was going to be more powerful with the Crystal. He said I was the strongest person out there, that I would be utterly invincible with the Crystal.”
“Telsiel, you jerkface. Can’t you see he was lying? Couldn’t you tell he was just flattering you into accepting it? He was actually saying how powerful you are, so therefore he wanted you under his control so he could gain control the Three Cities.”
“No, he wasn’t.”
“Telsiel, where are the refugees?”
“Gone,” Telsiel laughed.
“Sonru has got them, hasn’t he?”
“Yes, he has. And they’re not coming back.”
“Yes, they are. You’re an idiot if I ever saw one, Telsiel. Now, give over the crystal, or else I’m going to have to hurt you.”
“You can’t hurt me.”
“What makes you say that? I was a top student in Ranger training while blind. I was taught by the top Ranger master, too. I’m better than you think.”
“Stop bragging.”
“I will if you hand the freaking crystal bit.”
“NO!”



I haven't been able to work on that one for a while. So...yeah. That's where I am right now in that one.