Chapter 3

And suddenly she finds the rebellion has maybe an appealing offer. Maybe she could have used the rebellion to her advantage, if she had known it existed the day before.

Lilette moved through the village.  It was a quiet, secluded place it seemed.  A few kids ran about laughing, and some adults were talking, but there was no market.  When she asked somebody, they gave her a weird look and said that they all were indoors.  The peoples clothing was weird too.  They wore vibrant colors of reds, blues, purples, greens, and gold, unlike home where everything was dark. 

            Lilette felt so out of place, in her torn and dirty white shirt and her pants full of holes.  She hurried through the town, hoping to find the man.  He probably wouldn’t care about her anymore, but she wanted to know if he knew what scared Irvin.  The princess stood in the plaza, with no trace of the man.  She was beginning to feel very much like a fool.  Then, as she turned slowly, she felt the dull pain in her neck as she fell to the floor.

           

She awoke on some very soft pillows of assorted dark colors.  Groaning, she jumped when she heard somebody speaking.  There was a jumble of words, said by a woman, outside the door. Lilette could make out ‘wench’ and ‘awake’.  A wooden door behind her opened.  The man from the mountain, or she believed it was him, stood in the doorway. 

            “Tamrika, my dear, you are spectacular.” The man grinned.  He glanced over his shoulder, and a woman stepped from behind him.  The woman looked Lilette over before scoffing.  Lilette glared at her, and then the man.

            “How are you this fine evening?” the man asked joyously. 

            “I’ve been kidnapped.  How do you think I should feel?” Lilette almost yelled.  It wasn’t the first time she had been taken, but it was the first time nobody knew who took her.  In fact, nobody thought she was kidnapped.  They couldn’t save her if they didn’t know.  Not that she wanted anybody from the castle to save her, of course.

            “One in such a predicament as yours should not yell,” the woman, Tamrika, glared at her.  Lilette turned to yell at her, but stopped when she met cold dark eyes that could be considered black.  They were nothing like human eyes, and all spiteful words died in Lilette’s throat. Instead, Lilette turned to the man again.

            “Nice Tamrika,” the man chastised her like.

            “Do not speak to me as if I am the dog Caleb,” she sneered up at him.  Lilette watched the two argue, taking them in.  Caleb, she really believed was the man on the mountain.  Tamrika, though, seemed to be the total opposite of him.  Lilette probably would only come to her shoulder.  Her black hair was cut short at mid neck.  Her bangs were trimmed straight, covering her slanted eyes.  Her skin was dark, tanned to a brown color.

            “Miss,” Caleb gestured in front of her.  Lilette snapped from her gaze and looked to him, ignoring Tamrikas comment about incompetent lesbians.  “Yes, hello.  I am Caleb if you had not figured out-”

            “I do not care about your name.  You have kidnapped me; I do not want your name.  I do wish you would release me or at least state your reasoning!”

            “No need to be rude,” Caleb mumbled.  He grabbed Tamrika’s shoulder as soon as she stepped forward with a lethal glare.  “For the record though, ma’am, I had you kidnapped for your own good.”

            “My own good? How so?” Lilette glared up at him.

            “You were going into a rather uncouth part of the village.  A lady of your standards should not be seen there.  I had asked Tamrika to prevent you from entering the dangerous domain, and I must apologize for her hasty actions,” Caleb said.

            “Do not use big words Caleb, it is questionable if she will understand,” Tamrika mumbled, folding her arms and raising her face to look down at Lilette.

            “I understood every word thank you! Unlike a barbarian as yourself, I am a high lady and raised in the court!” Lilette huffed and tried to stand up.  Sadly, the pillows did not supply proper footing and she collapsed in a heap.

            “Doubtful wench.  You lack any grace the court hold, although you do have the egotistical, pompous attitude. You might be able to pass in the court.” Tamrika smirked down at Lilette.

            “Down Tamrika.  We are the hosts, we must be nice to our guest,” Caleb interrupted with a sigh. “Now please, Tamrika, go make some tea for us.”  Tamrika stared at him for a moment before turning on the ball of her feet and leaving the room.

            “Stupid, barbarian, jealous, snotty-” Lilette huffed as she sat up.

            “She isn’t a barbarian ma’am.” Caleb grinned, extending a hand to Lilette.  Lilette stared at him, and then his hand.  Huffing, she stood up, this time successfully.  Caleb shrugged, and opened the door.  “She is a shape shifter from the Asdril.”

            “Still uncivilized.” Lilette planed her hands on her hips.

            “At times, yes.  But we all are.”

            “… Caleb?”

            “Yes?” Caleb looked back at her over his shoulder, stopping at the top of the stairs.

            “You were on the mountain correct?  You saw me?”  Lilette’s voice quieted a little.

            “Yes, why?” Caleb asked casually as he moved down the stairs.

            “Did you see a soldier there? Or a beast?” Lilette followed him closely.

            “A beast? No, I didn’t see one.” Caleb shrugged and opened another door for her. Lilette’s face scrunched up in confusion as she stepped through the door.  Tamrika sat at the table, sipping a glass of steaming tea, not even looking up or acknowledging them.  “Have a seat.”

            “My name is Lilette,” Lilette said, but took a seat far away from Tamrika.

            “Lilette then? A beautiful name that surely will fit our needs.”

            “What needs? What are you talking about?” Lilette glared as she remembered they weren’t friends.

            “It proves that you are the Princess of Cabot.” Caleb shrugged and grabbed his cup.

            “So you are kidnapping me to get to my father? You cur!” Lilette slammed a small fist onto the table.

            “Why do that? It would only please him.  You did run away.  Using you for a ransom would only please the devilish savage,” Tamrika said while she looked at her from the corner of her eye.

            “Too true Tamrika.  We did not kidnap you for normal reasons Lilette.  In fact, you were no where in our thoughts until I saw you on the mountain. Now though, you can be of much help.”

            “How did you know I ran away? And help you two? Unlikely.” Lilette crossed her arms and glared at both of them.

            “Spies of course princess,” Tamrika said mockingly. “Somebody as sheltered as you though, it is highly unlikely that you know about them.  It is a miracle in itself you got over the wall around the castle, let alone to this village.”

            “Anyway,” Caleb interjected, “we would like your help by knowledge.  You hold great power with your father in ways I am not sure you realize at the moment.  You are a great asset, or could be if you are willing to help.” Tamrika snorted as she stared into her cup.

            “I still have no idea what you speak of, but it is obvious I would not be welcome.” Lilette glared at Tamrika down her nose, arms still crossed.

            “We are a part of sort of rebellion trying to stop your father.  You do know what he plans correct?” Caleb held a hand up to stop Tamrika from replying. 

            “…  All I knew was that he planned on sacrificing me for something he wanted.” Lilette looked to Caleb curiously.  “What is he planning?”

            “You ran away with only that information?” Tamrika turned to her fully now.

            “He plans to sacrifice ten blessed maidens to the Sun God, Eloi.  With those maidens sacrificed, your father would be granted one wish.  He wants to use this favor to unchain Okoth from the Blood Star and bind him to his command.  You are the tenth maiden he had chosen,” Caleb stared into his tea as he spoke.

            “Father plans all this? To what means? What does he want to do with Okoth?”

            “You truly are a sheltered princess.  He plans to destroy this nation and rebuild it, and with Okoth’s power he could probably succeed.  Nobody, of course, believes us or wishes not to and instead wants to live in the blind peace of now.  Our team knows the truth and wants to stop him before it happens.  You could be of help, in your own way I suppose.  At least keeping you out of his grasp would be help enough.” Tamrika sipped her tea, again not looking at Lilette as she spoke.

            “So, say I agree and in fact believe that is Fathers plans, you guys would keep me safe from Father’s soldiers?  You guys would make sure I wouldn’t have to go back, and wouldn’t treat me like a kidnapped princess or a child?  Nice housing with furnishings, three full meals…  I’m sure you get what I am saying.” Lilette spoke to Caleb, deciding that Tamrika was not worth her breath.

            “Something like that, yes.” Caleb nodded his head.  Tamrika reached over and poured him some more tea and Lilette leaned on her hands as she thought it through.  She wouldn’t have to turn on her Father, she couldn’t fight anyway.  This rebellion would keep her hidden, and as long as it didn’t get out that she was hiding with them, her honor was still intact.  Running away did little for her image, and what was left she wished to keep. 

            “So long as it is a secret that I am with you all, I think I can comply with your wishes.” Lilette nodded, looking to Caleb.

            “Good, I would have hated to force you.” Caleb smirked. 

Author's Note

Same as the other chapters really.