Chapter 37: The silence

The sound of light knocking at my room door woke me and I sat up slowly. I rubbed my raw eyes and called out.

"Who is it?" The rough voice on the other end sounded like Don causing me to come to my senses immediately. I looked around making sure nothing was out of place; once assured I said.

"Come in." Don entered the room with a confident stride. He shut the door behind him gently. looking at his hands, profile, and height I thought he looked comical. The knob was so small in his hand that it was like watching a giant trying to shut a tiny door. He turned back to me with a slight grunt and I suppressed the urge to burst out into laughter.

However I sobered looking at the serious expression on his face. disgruntled from his seriousness, I sat straighter and waited for him to speak. He sat on the small couch just off to the side and it was quiet for a moment. The silence stretched between us building an uncomfortable atmosphere. Finally unable to take the stress of it I asked.

"What's wrong?" He let out a heavy sigh and said in a low and unsettled voice.

"I have to go." I didn't understand what he meant; looking confused I replied.

"Go? are we leaving?" I hadn't heard anything about leaving Durum from the guards. In fact it had been really quiet since the letter was found. well aside from scary rumors I suppose. but rumors were just that; rumors.

"I received an Imperial summons Eva." He said the words in a tired voice. The silence stretched between us again; There was so much that I wanted to say but my mind was in a scramble. I stared on wide eyed and shaking; my mouth partly agape as I tried to find the way to speak again. Finally I blinked and suppressed my tears. with a shaky breath I said.

"When are you leaving?" I could hear the weakness in my own voice but still I swallowed back the tears. I was losing someone important to me again. what exactly did I do in my past life to deserve this? if I was to suffer like this they should have just made me a plant. being crushed under the foot of strange beings once was enough for a lifetime. the repeated assault on my heart was more than I could take.

"I must leave as soon as possible. But; I have made arrangements for you to stay with my wives. you'll be leaving with them." He said it apologetically and I knew why. I frowed my brows; I knew he was just trying to look out for me but the idea of staying with his wives brought back uncomfortable memories. Ophelia was subtle with her bullying and rudeness while Don was around. How open would she be with her distaste when Don wasn't around? The idea that I would be at war with his wives was not an inviting one.

"No that's okay I'll be fine." I didn't want to be alone; but alone was better than tormented. Unconsciously I hugged the egg in my lap a little tighter. It now radiated its own heat; Somehow I found this comforting.

"Exactly where do you plan on staying then? you can't go unprotected. My home is well guarded; You'll definitely be safe there." there was tension mounting in the space between us. I couldn't reply because I didn't know either. Then Don broke the silence and his icy voice caused me to look at him. His eyes were the same piercing and cold look as when I first saw them; full of suspicion and accusations.

"Or is it that you want to take this time to meet that abomination again?" I was frightened and shocked at the same time. After becoming friends Don had been really mellow and supportive. for him to become frosty like this was scary.

"That's not it." I said feeling a bit on edge. my heart was racing in my chest and my face grew hot. Don's movements were quick; he loomed over me like a crane and held my chin. his eyes were probing and I felt violated by just looking into them. I shifted my gaze quickly.

"You say I'm wrong but you're flushed and refuse to look me in the eyes." He was misinterpreting me!! I looked back at him panicking. what could I say but the truth at this point? it 's not like he would believe me anyway.

"I just don't want to deal with your wives." I said it bluntly, not giving the whole truth. His eyes widened at that and we stared at each other for a long moment. It was then I remembered the card I was given by Olivander, leader of the Strikers team. I smiled.

"Don't worry Don. I was offered the chance to work with the Strikers before we left Panacea; so I should be able to stay with them." His eyes seemed to hold a storm. shimmering between light and dark green. what was he thinking? he closed his eyes tightly and when he looked at me again he looked like he was in pain.

"Just let me this once." I didn't understand what he meant until he kissed me with force. What was he doing?! I struggled; but fighting Don was like fighting against a waterfall. I was pushed down and my egg rolled to the edge of my bed. Already panicked I could feel my blood run cold. No, Not my egg! At the same time I reached out to catch it; a bright light shone from the egg. Don obviously caught off guard, Jumped away pulling me with him. The blinding light faded leaving behind a strange and intriguing creature. it looked like it could be a griffin or even a hippogriff but there was so much wrong with it.

The body of a lion with tiger stripes , 3 long tails with a scorpion stinger at the end; white leathery wings, and 2 tiny horns protruding from its head. I approached it with sincerity, though Don tried to stop me. I had already decided no matter what creature was born from the egg I would love it and protect it regardless. Its golden cat-like eyes didn't falter at all. it watched my every step with an openness. Finally I was in front of it and we locked eyes . it was like a test of wills, then finally with a gentle smile; I slowly held out my arms.

"Happy birthday. I'm glad to finally meet you." The monster didn't jump into my arms right way. First it turned to look at Don with a menacing hiss; all it's hair stood on end. Don not expecting this looked a bit surprised; then before he could say anything the creature jumped into my arms and nuzzled me with a low pur.

"Don have you ever seen this creature?" Don looked a bit troubled. but nodded, letting out a breath he said.

"it looks like a baby Manticore; But I've never seen one that was red with black stripes, or with white wings. That aside Manticores are extremely dangerous and evil things. we should put it down before any mayhem can start." The beast looked at Don with the intensity of 1,000 suns. if I didn't know any better I may have thought it understood.

"I wont! it is my... child." I blushed saying this. What was I saying anyway?! Don's jaw dropped as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing. looking on in disbelief he said.

"It seems it has already charmed you. we must kill it now." I turned my back to him and held onto the creature tightly. there was no way I could fight Don but surely he would not strike me down to get to this poor child.

"W-We don't know that! let's take it to the breeder and see what it is exactly." the monster nuzzled my chin and my heart melted. it's soft fur tickled my skin; while its tiny horns poked uselessly at me. It was so cute! I could hear a sigh escape Don's mouth and he finally relaxed his stance.

"Fine we will see what the breeder has to say. but usually we kill manticore's upon sight. That is how bad they are. please understand." I turned half way around and the little monster perked up; it looked at Don and Hissed again this time revealing 3 rows of pointy teeth. Ack! that's not scary at all! It seemed to feel the shift in my mood because it immediately stopped and cuddled me again. Did it not want me to be scared? how cute! and he says this baby is evil. No way. We headed for the breeders right after that; I held the baby monster the entire time. The looks I got from people however weren't the best.

Out in the middle of the ocean...

"Here is Fine." I said my impatiens reaching it's apex. we weren't that far from the Large island. interestingly enough on maps this was seen as a dead zone. The waters were to infeasted for ships to go near. it was forsaken by man and simply a large swirl on all current maps.

"Go back and bring our people Jara." She gave me a longing look. Oh here we go.

"Can't I come to?" she blushed and I sighed. shaking my head I gave her an impatient look.

"And who is going to protect my ships while I'm clearing out these pests? This is a job only you can do Jara, My pupil only you have the power to execute this will of mine." I got close to her, and whispered in her ear; hugging onto her and lifting her up slightly.

"I need you." I knew the way I said it was highly ambiguous and I intended for her to misunderstand my meaning from the beginning. Jara would fight me tooth and nail otherwise. She was concerned for my safety but there was no need. she blushed from ear to ear and just nodded. I smiled and with a chuckle and placed her back onto the ship. she turned with a viger and immediately started giving orders. I flew upwards and out to the open sea and sped toward the island.

The sky darkened with the monster miasma charged clouds. Purple lightning struck at the sea; massive waves rose and lapped at the sky as if in retaliation. the Silhouettes of monsters lurking just beneath the surface could be seen even from way up high. How long had this place been left to feaster? maybe 1,600 years or so, I couldn't recall such a place being here any later than that.

There was a loud cawing roar coming from over head and I looked up to find a group of large Roc. Their tan Feathery bodys casted a spotted shadow. heh Some birds should just stay flightless. as they dived for me I chose then to begin the extermination.