Chapter 40: The surprise

"Ace, you've been spacing out," Clover smiled, "What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing," Ace replied. He brought his eyes back to the book in front of him.

Clover leaned in closer. "You're still angry at me?"

"No...I'm not,"

"You're a bad liar," Clover smirked, "You can tell me."

"There's nothing to tell,"

"Then why have you been staring at the head sister all morning. What, is she your type?"

Ace's eyes shot up and his face turned red. He looked up to see if the sister had heard it. Luckily, she and another sister were working with their eyes down on the desk. He swerved his head to Clover.

"Why would you say that?" Ace uttered in a low voice. He held the book up above his face."What if she heard you?"

Clover's brow furrowed. They pulled the book down from Ace's face and observed him with thinly disguised annoyance.

"You don't seriously like her do you?" Clover enquired.

Ace glanced down meeting Clover's eyes, "Is there a reason why I can't?"

"Of course not," Clover smiled placidly, "It's just interesting that's all,"

"What is?" Ace returned, still pouting.

"Just to a casual observer, you seem to fall in love quite easily," Clover remarked.

Ace's black eyes became irate, "I never said I was in love with her!"

The quiet room was brought to a stop. Everyone looked towards Ace. He flushed even redder then quickly brought the book over his face again. All the while, Clover continued to laugh.

"What's with you?" Clover giggled.

"Maybe he just doesn't want to play with you," Albaric's voice came from behind.

"Oh, I forgot you were here," Clover scoffed, "Why are you here again?"

"To make sure you do what you're supposed to be doing," Albaric returned, "Why don't you leave him be and make yourself useful."

Rena's eyes came up slowly from the desk. She watched them argue back and forth but said nothing. Ace unexpectedly met her gaze. He quickly looked away but her gaze didn't waver. Did she expect him to do something?

"Clover," Ace hesitated, "Can you just help me with this translation?" he said.

Both Albaric and Clover looked at him surprised. Then to Ace's own astonishment, Clover took the book and began translating. Albaric returned to position against the wall. Once more it was quiet. Ace looked up. Rena focus was back on the documents. Is this what she wanted?

The silence felt different now the sisters had taken over the tower. The atmosphere was completely different without the wizard. The tense and gloomy air was gone. The tower was washed with a cool and calm ambience. Ace attested this to Rena herself.

Within a week, it felt strangely comforting to find Rena at her desk. Ace knew that as long as she was there, there was a possibility. No matter how small it was, there was a prospect of a new life. Though he didn't voice this, not even to himself. He felt guilty to even consider it. What about Albaric?

After everything Albaric had given up for him, how could he just leave? There was also the Emperor's 'insurance'. Ace had no doubt he would destroy everything relating to that village in the East. But what did he even hope to find there?

Either the others were dead or they didn't come back for him. Whichever it was, he had nothing attaching him to that place. He couldn't even remember it. No, the real reason he couldn't leave was sitting across from him.

Why couldn't he just let go of Clover? Even now, a small flutter of those rose eyes or a gentle caress was enough to burn him up inside. What did it even mean to be their friend? They let him fall.

The peaceful bustle of the tower was shaken by a crack of thunder. It drummed the skeleton of the building and echoed through the hall. Ace could see storm clouds swirling from the window.

The storm continued for several days after. They continued working. Rena's tireless efforts appeared to succeed. To Ace's surprise, Clover continued to do as he asked. The so-called 'lesson' never manifested, or if it did, Ace didn't see it. It looked as if they might actually succeed this time. Within a month they had the first draft of a device that could allow a human to cross into the demon world.

It was on the precipice of this achievement, that Kalandra suddenly returned.

Ace had almost forgotten what it was like to have her around. Never mind the fact she tried to kill him the last time they met.

"I told you," Albaric warned, "you can't just come and go here as you please," he sheathed his word with an annoyed clank.

"Your name is Kalandra, is that correct?" Rena said, rising from the desk. The sisters had surrounded her the moment Kalandra entered the building. They came running from the stairs.

"So, it's your people who've been following me around the place," Kalandra smirked, "You needn't have bothered. I come bearing gifts,"

Rena lowered her hand and the sisters left the room.

"As the sword saint told you, this is not a place you can come and go," Rena came around the desk.

Kalandra looked her over with her callous gaze. "You don't look like you're from the Empire,"

"I'm not," Rena said shortly.

"Lemme guess," Kalandra grinned with her cold eyes, "You're from the west,"

Rena didn't answer. She surveyed Kalnadra with glacial rigidity.

"Please send word the next time you arrive so we can get approval in advance,"

Kalandra smirked, she leaned in hostilely close, "Don't you want to know how I know that? " she took a slither of Rena's hair between her fingers.

"All the children begging on the streets in western countries have hair just like this." Kalandra laughed, "Were you one of the children whose parents sold them to the order? You have the look of someone with something to prove. Don't waste your time - your parents probably forget about you the moment the gold-lined their pockets,"

Albaric stepped in between them. His eyes were wild and vicious. Ace had never seen him so upset. His sword was drawn at Kalandra. Ace thought he might actually kill her. However, to his surprise, it was Rena who appeared least unnerved.

"Please lower your sword," she said, her eyes remaining on Kalandra.

"It's as you said," Rena smiled, "but I have nothing to prove to you or to anyone. Only the Goddess will decide my worth,"

"Ah," Kalandra tilted her head to one side, "It's even worse than I thought. Is there anything worse than a life spent under the watchful eyes of the gods?"

"I could say the same. I can't imagine a life where the gods never once looked upon me," Rena replied.

Kalandra's eyes twitched. Rena gestured to the seat in front of the desk.

"If that is all you have to say, please take a seat,"

Kalandra begrudgingly took a seat. She thrust out the contents of her rucksack on the table. Then she turned to Clover with a smile. For a moment, Rena was quiet. She intently studied the items. Albaric leaned over, still frowning in disapproval.

"What is this crap?" he sniffed.

"This crap," Clover answered, "Is your way across the border,"

Rena's blue eyes rose steadily, "It appears we have the parts to make our device,"

Kalandra threw her arms around Clover's neck. Clover's arm came up to steady her.

"Well, don't we get some kind of reward for being so well behaved?" Clover grinned.

"Reward?" Rena mulled the words, "I suppose it would be appropriate,"

"Sister!" Albaric protested, "You don't need to do that,"

"What is it that you want?" she said dismissing him.

"Let me take a walk tonight. I won't leave the grounds. I just want to go out into the courtyard for a bit," Clover glanced at Albaric who was about to mount another protest, "The little sword saint can come with us. We can all go. It can be a celebration,"

"She's too much of a prude," Kalandra sneered.

"I don't see why not. If the sword saint consents that is," Rena replied.

Everyone turned to Albaric who was still huffing. However, he relented under Rena's steadfast gaze.

"Will you go, sister?" he said, his face reddening slightly.

"If that is your condition, I will agree to it," she answered nonplused.

"It wasn't a condition..." Albaric flustered.

"It's settled!" Clover announced.

They turned to Kalandra with a gleeful laugh and spun her around. Then, to Ace's surprise, Clover walked to Rena's side. they leant down and whispered something in her ear. She mulled the words over for a moment then answered:

"Yes, I can do that," she nodded.

"What are you up to know?" Albaric glowered. He had watched the interaction suspiciously. Even Ace wondered what Clover could have asked her. As usual, Clover's answer left more to be desired:

"It's a surprise," Clover grinned. "You'll come tonight won't you, Ace?"