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| Chapter 4 Brin admired herself in the mirror. She looked stunning. Not that she was going to admit that to herself. Brin was wearing an expensive and flattering looking gown. The gown was a baby blue colour, with silver lining the hem and the sleeves. The bodice was made of a silver material, which glimmered when you moved. The sleeves themselves fitted perfectly down her arms, at the wrist they flared out and nearly hide her hands.The top of the dress hugged her body, which gave her waist a small delicate appearance.Then at the waist, the dress blossomed out and swept the floor. Her shoes matched perfectly to the dress. They were a silver colour too. This was all thanks to dressmaker Lalasa. All the girls agreed that she called work wonders and even miracles. Brin wore very litter jewellery. It truth she did not need it.She only wore a single sapphire on a dainty silver chain. She also wore a few silver bagels, which were entwined with small diamonds. Her make-up, Thayet had done. Alanna and Daine had insisted they help as well.Thayet had put silver eye shadow on Brin's eyes, and a smudge of blusher that went well to highlight her cheekbones.Thayet had also applied a deep red lipstick that made Brin's lips look full and soft.Her hair was piled up in curls in the top of her head. There were a few strands of hair that escaped and framed her face. A knock at her door brought her out of her thoughts. She twirled once more in front of the mirror and went to answer it. All of the nobles where gathered at the bottom of the stairs that led into the Great Hall. The Hall was buzzing with excitement. Who was this new maiden? What did she look like? Where did she come from? Where the main questions going round. Then a trumpet sounded, and the doors swung open. Out came a squire who announced the young girl and her escort. "Presenting the Lady Brin of Peacehaven and Sergeant Domitan of Masbolle." Brin had thought of the name 'Peacehaven' on the spot, when Jon had asked where she would pretend to come from. In truth Brin's mother had come from Peacehaven in their world. So she thought it only right to the use that name one last time. At the top of those glorious staircase - where every maiden in all the country wished she could be announced - appeared a young lady. Most of the guests gasped. They had never seen any one so beautiful. Well, except Thayet the Peerless. Sergeant Domitan escorted the lady, down the staircase. He had to admit that he was surprised. He knew all about Brin, or as much as any one else knew. He had been assigned to show the lady round the palace, and to show her the way things worked. They had really gotten to know each other, and she mesmerized him. Maybe it was the fact that she was from another world. So when they walked down the stairs he was surprised at how graceful she walked. She was as elegant as any girl there, maybe even more so. So together they glided down the stairs. All eyes where on them. When they reached the bottom they approached the king and queen, bowed then turned around and walked back to the crowd. As Brin neared the crowd, she tightened her grip on Dom's arm. He smiled at her and charmingly said, "Don't worry, they won't bite. I think they are too speechless to say any thing. They are all mesmerized by your beauty" And so am I. He suddenly realised. Brin smiled and was lead into the midsts of the gathering of nobles. When in the middle, Brin was swamped with offers to dance. Without knowing what else to do, she accepted gracefully. She smiled sweetly as they talked and spun her round. She listened to their questions and answered at best she could. Brin would murmur thanks, when she was complemented on her looks. Then when the dance was finished she would slowly walk away. Unfortunately, then she was asked again to dance and the whole process began again. She was wondering where Dom had gotten to; she had lost sight of him, when all the young knights and nobles asked her to dance. He was not bad looking. In fact he was very handsome. He was not just some guy obsessed with girls and other unmentionable things. He had a personality. Now she looked around eagerly, to see him, or, if she saw any face she recognised. There were none. At that moment Brin was asked to dance. Not looking up and not knowing what else to say, she nodded. So the young man swept her across the dance floor, and began dancing, which showed practise and skill. Brin looked up into the man's eyes to see whom she was dancing with. A pair of friendly eyes gazed back. Immediately she smiled. She knew that face anywhere! It was Dom. "I thought I would come and rescue you from your thousands of admires." He said cheerfully. "Thanks you" Brin whispered into his ear, as they carried on dancing. Brin felt as if she could stay there all night, in his arms, and she would be safe. Sadly, that is not the way the night would end. Brin enjoyed dancing with him. He was smooth and gentle and… Brin stopped in the middle of that thought. Oh my god. I'm in love with him. She thought it with such suddenness that it surprised her. She knew it was not just a crush. She knew her heart skipped a beat whenever he said something. She nearly melted when he smiled at her. Only one thought entered her mind. I am not at home. Well, as she was not at home, she could be a little more adventurous. Couldn't she? Brin hesitantly put her head on his shoulder. Her whole body tensed. What would he do? Would he be disgusted and push her away? But Brin was rewarded when Dom slowly pulled her closer to him. Yes! Brin thought. I guess there is nothing wrong with being adventurous once in a while. Brin lost track of all time, when she was in his arms. They did not speak. No words where needed. But, after sometime, Dom pulled away, taking Brin's hand he lead her away to a dark corner, earning himself several glares of envy from other men in the room. When they were alone, Dom spoke. "I don't know how to say this, but I know that you must let me finish." Now he took a deep breath as if he was about to take the dive of his life. "The first time I saw you, I knew that you where the one for me. I did not say anything because I did not know how you felt for me, and I did not want to ruin our friendship. But I can't hold back any longer. I must know if I have a chance with you. I think I am in love. This is not some sort of crush that my cousin always has. What do you say?" Dom had gotten quieter all the way through, at the end Brin had to lean forward to hear the rest of what he had to say. Now Brin leaned back, deep thought. Dom waited. He was screaming inside. Not knowing if he had made a mistake by confronting her with his feelings. Brin looked up in his eyes and knew her answer. "I say, this" Brin said even quieter. She leant forward and passionately kissed him on the lips. Brin had decided that she like being adventurous and spontaneous. At first Dom was surprised. But he soon recovered, and kissed he back with just as much intensity. That was when a burst of white light exploded from the centre of the hall. People where thrown against the walls in all directions. Brin and Dom broke off their kiss hurriedly to see what was going on. There in the centre of the hall was the foulest thing anyone had seen. Far worst than any of the immortals they knew. It was what looked like a lion. In body and head at least. There was a goat's head on the lions back. The tail was a mass of poison looking snakes. The lion's mane looked like fire, blazing with fury. The head of the lion and the snakes looked at if they were in a mad rampage. The monster looked like it was going to destroy everything in sight. People started screaming and running towards the doors. But suddenly they at slammed shut. Dom looked sadly at Brin and said, " I must protect the king and Queen, it is my duty." Dom did not look happy about it. H did not want to leave Brin encase any thing happened to her. Who knows what this monster might do. "Go do what you must, I will be alright" Brin said reassuringly. "Don't get yourself killed." And with that he gave her a firm kiss that suggested he would be back, and when off to protect his king and queen. "Don't get your self killed" Brin whispered. Just as Dom reached the platform on which the king and queen stood, there came a voice. The whole hall knew who's voice that was, even if they had never heard it before. That voice meant only one thing, destruction, terror and…Chaos. "I will have my revenge on you, mortals! Meet my newest creation, the Chimera! Now my pet, destroy them all!" The voice shrieked the last bit. It filled the room with terror, and more people started to scream. The Chimera was everyone's last nightmare. The first person it got hold of was too slow to move out the way. The lady's scream froze everyone. No one could do anything. They looked on in horror at what the Chimera might do. They all got their answer soon enough. First the creature slashed the women's throat. Then, the Chimera throw back it's gruesome heart and gave a heart stopping noise. Then the Chimera head shot back down and ripped out the women's heart and threw away the rest of the body. Then the same thing happened again, with another poor soul. Then Numair came onto the scene. He threw black fire at the damned creature, but the Chimera just shrugged it off. Numair looked horror stricken. He seemed to snap out of it, he muttered a few words under his breath and gestured dramatically with his hands. Suddenly Alanna came up beside him, and whispered something in his ear, then grasped his hand. Together they began chanting. Then some more mages came up to the two and seized their hands, and took up the chanting. Some the hall was chanting words unknown to them. Then Jonathan, with a few knights and squires surrounding him, came to the front. It his hand he held a jewel, about as big as his hand. Brin assumed that this was the Dominion Jewel. Jon began chanting with Alanna and Numair and with the rest of the mages. A steady purple glow came from the jewel. Suddenly the Chimera took notice of what they were doing. It growled savagely and lunged towards the king. But before it got close enough to take a swing, Dom was there. He had a sad, but determined look on his face. The Chimera closed in quickly. He took a swing at Dom, but Dom dogged the attack and drew his sword and slashed at the creature. He caught the Chimera across the chest. The Chimera gave an angered growl and lunged forward to take down it's pray. This time Dom was not quick enough. The Chimera swiped Dom across the abdomen. Which caused Dom to stagger and fall. Fortunately a purple glow formed around the Chimera and it suddenly disappeared. But know had thought they had seen the last of it. Brin regained her senses and ran frantically towards Dom. People crowded him; Brin shoved her way to the front and knelt down next to him. Alanna, Numair and Jon were there. They all had a sad expression on their faces. Brin looked hopefully at Alanna, who only shook her head. "We are all tapped out, there is nothing I can do." Alanna said sadly. Brin tried not to let the tears streamed down her face. But she could not hold them back. She took Dom's head in her lap. His eyes flickered open. "I'm sorry." He whispered. They all knew he was going to die. "NO! NO!" Brin said, and without knowing exactly what she was doing, put her hands over the wound. There was a blinding flash of rose coloured light. Dom could feel the pain, leaking away.Then the pain was gone and so was the wound. Brin swayed and was caught by Dom, who sat up. "What did you do?" He asked amazed yet again. "She took the pain into her self!" Alanna said incredulously. "She is empathic" Numair whispered. "I knew there was something there!" At these last words, Brin fainted into the arms of her love. Chapter 5 Brin gradually opened her eyes. The bright and sudden glare from the lamps hurt her sensitive eyes. She carefully moved her tender and aching head to the side, to see where she where she was. She discovered to find she was in the healing houses at the palace. Brin, with difficultly, carefully sat up. She didn’t hurt as much as she thought she would. Brin felt confused. Actually she felt more than confused. A thousand questions raced through her mind in an instant. Like ‘Where was Dom?’ ‘Was he alright?’ ‘Where where the others and where they alright?’ There was only one way to find out the answer to these questions, and that was to get up. Brin threw back the covers and swung her long legs over the side of the bed. Her feet hit the floor softly, and Brin moved to get up. As she stood up, she felt very light-headed. The room would not stop spinning. At that moment Duke Baird walked in and was horrified that she was out of bed, and even more shocked that she was trying to stand! She was in no condition to do so! “What are you doing up! You should be in bed! You have not yet recovered from your ordeal!” “How long have I been asleep?” Brin asked curious. “For about 3 days.” Duke Baird replied. “Well then, I have rested enough.” And with that Brin took a step towards the door. Baird muttered under his breath about obstinate patients. He then walked over to Brin, took her by the arm and gently led her outside. “Where would you like to go milady?” He said with mock seriousness. “I don’t know. How about where everyone else is?” Brin suggested. “To the Council Chamber we go then.” So they both headed that direction. When they reached the great oak doors of the Council Chamber, they where stopped by a servant who quietly but firmly told them that the king was not to be disturbed. “Tell the King that Lady Brin and I wish to speak with him and the other members of the Council. Immediately.” Duke Baird said this with an air of authority, and no one felt that he or she or anyone else should challenge him. The servant came back, bowed to them and held open the immense door. As Brin when in, she was swiped up in an enveloping hug. Brin gave a squeak of surprise. She could hear a few people in the room give a quite chuckle. “I am so glad you are alright! I was so worried!” Dom let go of her, reluctantly. If he could have it his way, he would never let her out of his arms. He smiled disarmingly at her, and then led her to the vacant seat next to his. “Don’t ever do that again!” Dom told her sternly. Brin gave him a firm but passionate kiss to show him that she was all right. Then sat back in her cushioned chair to listen to the rest of the meeting. As Duke Baird left, the king stood up. “It looks like we are faced with a problem that we have never encountered before. I am sure though, that we have no seen the last of this new immortal. We know nothing about this creature, other than it’s name. Where does it come from? And who sent it here?” As Jon asked these questions, he did not expect an answer. But suddenly, Alanna sneezed, not once, not twice, but three times. Then four. Then five. She was now immediately on her feet. No one knew what was going on, well except Alanna and Brin of course. Then at the end of the table a pearly white shimmering glow appeared. In the centre there was an outline of a tall woman. When the glow had subsided, the woman stepped forward. The woman had perfectly white and pearly skin. Her eyes were an enchanting emerald colour; they looked like the leaves in mid-summer. She also had full red lips that looked like the colour of soft red wax. Alanna, who immediately recognised her, stood up and bowed to the figure. “Why are you here Mother. Are you in need of my service?” Alanna asked curiously, when she was upright. At this everyone stood up and started to bow and curtsey as low and deep as they could; with out falling over of course. After all it was not every day you saw a Goddess. The Goddess smiled gently at them and told them that they could sit. Then the loving smile left her face as she said. “I am here to help you solve your problem concerning the Chimera. After all we know something of this creature.” The Goddess said in her soft and husky voice. “What can you tell us about this immortal?” Jonathon asked. A hint of pleading came into his voice. The Goddess sighed profoundly, and sat down next to Alanna, as if this was going to take awhile. “To sum it all up, the creature, know as the Chimera, is an ancient being that was given life by Chaos. The immortal has not sent foot on the mortal plains for thousands of years. The Old Ones locked it away, as the Chimera was terrorising and destroying the land. Powerful magic they had then, and it was in their ability. Unfortunately you cannot do the same. The creature has…let’s say become immune to the magic. You will have to find different means to detain it this time.” “How was it let through this time?” Brin asked. “I am sure everyone remembers when the portal to Brin’s world was opened.” At this Brin blushed slightly, but no one noticed, they were all too fascinated in the Goddess tale. “Well, when that portal opened, it also opened another…in the realm of Uusoae. Luckily Uusoae was surprised by her sudden chance of freedom. Also she was weak. This was because she had been locked up for so long, and not being able to use her powers. So, she did not have the power or the strength to go through the portal. Instead, she sent one of her most powerful minions. As I understand, the instructions she gave to the Chimera where that it was to destroy Tortall and the surrounding lands. Then it was to return to her prison and set her free. After all the Chimera gains strength by feeding off mortals.” At that moment the Goddess looked up as if she was being spoken to. She listened intently then stood up. “It is time for me to go. Uusoae is trying to free herself of her confinement. I wish we could help you. But we must focus put attention at Uusoae. Fare-well and good luck.” And with that she disappeared. When the Goddess was gone, the king had said that they had enough to think about for one night, and they all departed for their rooms. Dom was escorting Brin back to her room. They said nothing to each other along the way. They were both deep in thought. Brin was brought out of her thoughts by a touch on her arm. She looked out into Dom’s face, then at the door they were in front of. They were at her door. Her name was newly engraved on the brass plate. “I will see you tomorrow at breakfast, love.” Brin whispered. And gave her love an adoring kiss. Brin sat down on her bed deep in thought. There must be a way to get free of this immortal. If only I could do something… Then it hit her. It was so obvious! Why did she not think of it before? I must tell the king. But first I must make sure this theory is right. That is, all it is after all. Brin slipped out of her room unnoticed, and went directly to the library. She headed immediately to the back of the library, and looked up all the books she could on empathies. As she searched for the book she wanted, the time flew by. It was approaching mid-night when she finally thought that she would get nowhere. But then she saw it in one of the far shady corners of the library. Brin carefully pulled out the book and sat down on one of the long oak benches by a worn table. Brin thumbed through the pages till she found what she was looking for…the powers of an empathic. It was nearing 1:30am when she at last closed the book and sat back satisfied. It was all there. Exactly was she needed…what Tortall needed. Brin placed the book back on the dusty shelf and went back to her room. She would tell the king and the others members of the council her plan in the morning. She was tired and needed some rest; at she was sure everyone else did too. The next morning ... “You see your Highness it is all very simple. Regrettably I don’t have time to go over my entire plan. By I can tell you what you and the others have to do. Daine will need to track the immortal. Then Numair will attack the Chimera with his Gift. Jon will assault the Chimera with the Dominion Jewel, and the other mages will do what they can to distract the beast. We must keep it contained and we must be swift. Once the Chimera senses what we are about to do, we will have difficulty.” Brin tried to explain. “But what will we do once the creature is contained and distracted?” Asked a concerned young mage. “That is my part. I can’t explain what I will do. But you must trust me!” Brin said with some urgency in her clear voice. “That is a huge task to ask us, if we do not know what you are about to do. We may be endangering men’s lives. Why do you ask us to do this and put all out faith in you?” Jon asked reasonably. “Because you must. I fear that this is our only option. If anyone else has a suggestion I would be happy to hear it. But as I understand no one else has a plan. And if we are not quick enough, the Chimera will be too strong for us. Then what are we to do?” Brin looked around the room and looked into all of their eyes to show them that she was sure that this would work. Dom stood up and said that he put his entire faith in her. Alanna voiced the same answer. Soon, must of those in the room believed in her. Brin was touched by their trust in her. She would not fail them. “Then it is decided. Tomorrow at dawn, we will track down the Chimera and do our best to put an end to it. Now let us get some rest. We need to be alert. Gods bless everyone.” Dom followed Brin to her room. “What are you going to do?” “You will have to wait and see.” Brin replied. Dom frowned at her and said that he did not want her to take any unnecessary risks. Brin silenced him with a fiery kiss. He returned the love with excitement. Her slender hands wrapped round his neck. His hands travelled down to her slim waist and held her as if he would never again. He truly loved her and did not want to let her go. When their private display at passion ended Brin went into her room. She sat on the quilted bed. A solitary tear trickled down her face. She loved Dom with all her heart. She didn’t want to lose him. But she would do what she had to. She would not let the Chimera hurt and destroy her friends and loved ones. Maybe there was a chance that consequences would not be too severe. You never know. She knew her plan would work. After all if she could restore health then she could take it away. But the life and health of the Chimera would have to go somewhere… inside Brin. And Brin did not know what would happen to her after this stage of the plan. But she feared that the intensity would kill her. But a girl had to do, what a girl had to do. |