Erick Rashak's eyes glinted with dangerous intent as he stared at the darkened grassy area between the three willow trees.
He had been sitting at this same spot for over two hours, silently waiting for them to reappear, even though he knew---he KNEW---that twilight was over.
Nightfall had solidly settled her haunches upon the lands below, and any chance of the rift reopening would have to wait until pre-dawn.
Behind him, Daran stood with his arms folded, waiting. He had sheathed the broadsword long ago but did not dare leave the Crown Prince out in the garden by himself...although the most dangerous thing he'd seen so far were several night cats, a couple of possums, and one lone owl hooting in a nearby tree.
Quill had gone to forage upon the hill as soon as night fell. He was a nocturnal human after all, and the night life was his to own. He needed fresh blood once in awhile to maintain his body chemistry, but this was something that none of the men mentioned to Lady Mira. Some things were best kept mum.
Lady Mira's garden lights began winking into existence at the start of nightfall. The multitude of lights illuminated the trees and bushes, and lit the stone paver paths, winding around the large fountain. The path wound towards the circular pavilion where wrought iron tables and chairs had been set out for the enjoyment of the flower garden.
Although it could not compare to the palace gardens that the two Princes, Erick Rashak and Zander Tamein were used to, Daran knew this was a garden that could rival any high society family in Ashryan.
Lady Mira had never explicitly stated her title, but Daran had no doubt that her house and gardens indicated that she was a noble Lady of some sort on Earth. Only nobles could afford the sort of luxuries that were on display everywhere in her home.
At this very moment though, the Crown Prince was in no mood to admire the garden. Although his body was still, Daran knew it was only because Erick Rashak was an accomplished warrior with high level training and control.
In reality, the prince was absolutely furious.
He had been so intent and focused on whatever vague dangers might be coming through from Ashryan that he did not even notice a skinny little woman slipping through the fissure with her tiny little dog, and then disappearing into thin air!
His eyes narrowed and his lips quivered.
One minute, they were all getting ready for Zander to return to Ashryan, and in a split second, the woman and the dog had somehow managed to fall through the crack. It was a stroke of luck that Zander had been able to follow her immediately, as the rift had vanished without a trace, mere seconds after.
Erick was no slouch. As an accomplished warrior, his reaction time was dead-on, but the rift operated in microseconds. By the time he had launched his body towards the rift, it had closed. He had hit the grass, and rolled towards the trees.
"Your Highness," Daran finally spoke up.
Erick ignored him, continuing to stare into the darkness.
"Your Highness, you are still not completely well. I must insist you return inside."
"I feel fine."
"It is time for you to eat, and take the pills that Lady Mira has left for you." Daran gripped his fists. He hoped that by mentioning the Lady's name, the Crown Prince would give up the fruitless wait and take care of his body. It was not that long ago that Erick Rashak was on the brink of death. "She will be back soon. You must take the pills she made."
For a minute, the Crown Prince did not respond.
Then, with a barely audible sigh, Erick Rashak stood up and made his way back into the house. Mira would never forgive him if he did not eat what she made for him and take the pills she had worked so hard to create for him using her alchemist magik. At the very least, when she returned, she would be pleased that Erick had done all she had asked him to do.
With the motion of the men reentering the house, the lights came on of their own accord, in the kitchen and dining area. Even without Mira's presence, her house's various functions continued to work. It was a testament to the powers of her magik.
On the table was the perfectly set dinner, with the food that they were supposed to eat after Zander returned to Ashrya. It was now cold and unappetizing.
With a sigh, the men sat down and began their solitary meal.
Erick Rashak ate the cold rice soup that she had set out for him, partly because he did not know how to turn on the fire in her kitchen cooking area, and partly because he just didn't care. He just wanted to have something in his stomach so he could take the pills.
Daran was also listlessly chewing on something that Mira had made. She had called it filet steak when she was cooking it, but to Daran, it looked and tasted like shoe leather. Because the Lady had made it with her own hands, he ate it.
There was also some boiled potatoes that had been smashed till they were unrecognizable. He stoically swallowed the bland baby food potatoes until there was no more. Then he picked up the stemmed glass with some red liquid in it and took a sip.
Daran's eyes opened.
This was wine, but not just any wine. This was far superior to any type of wine he had ever tasted, and he had tasted some very good wine, even some from the Emperor's table, when he had been given his captain's ranks.
He slowly began savoring the taste, rolling it around his mouth and enjoying its excellent quality.
In no time at all, Daran had emptied the glass. He glanced surreptitiously at the almost full bottle that was still on the table.
The Crown Prince was still sitting on the other side of the table, not looking at anything in particular.
Daran slowly reached out and took the bottle. He poured himself another glass.
"You're just going to drink that wine yourself and not pour your prince a glass?"
Daran winced. "Your Royal Highness. You are not well. You should not be drinking th---"
"Shut your mouth and pour me a glass, or I will cut out your tongue so that you can never taste another glass of wine again."
They quickly found out that one bottle only gave five glasses. Since the prince was the prince, he got three glasses, and Daran got two. They finished that bottle and found a few more, stashed in the cupboards.
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"Thank you! Please keep the change." A short chubby woman with a cap of wavy blonde hair, wearing a pink Chanel dress, opened the door of a taxi. With some difficulty, she pulled the forearm crutches out of the cab and placed them on the ground in front of her. Then, she pulled herself upright and shut the door behind her.
As the taxi sped away, Caroline stood in front of the tudor mansion that her friend lived at and looked around for anything suspicious. She had tried calling Mira since 6 AM, but there had been no answer. It was now past eight, and since Mira lived alone, Caroline could not assume that she was just busy.
Nothing looked out of place, so she ambled up the front walk on her crutches until she reached the double front doors. She reached over to the gargoyle statue sitting on the ledge and retrieved the key to the house. Then let herself in.
Mira's home was just the same as it always was. Clean, uncluttered, and scented with the pine oil her family was so fond of using for the hardwood floors and the furniture.
Or it used to be pine.
Caroline sniffed the air. The scent of stale wine permeated the room. She frowned. Mira never drank, at least not by herself, and even when she drank with friends, her limit was a single glass of wine. The overwhelming smell of alcohol in her house was like an entire case had been consumed.
"Mira?" Caroline stumped into the dining room. "Mira, are you there?"
Suddenly, she felt a jolt of electricity shoot through her body. Her vision darkened and she sank into unconsciousness.
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"I hope you did it correctly, or we are in big trouble!"
"I know how it's supposed to be done, I saw him doing it."
"But have you ever done it before?"
"Well, no...but---"
"Then you can't say you know how it's supposed to be done, can you?"
"But we---"
"Oh shut the hell up, you guys are too damn noisy!" Caroline yelled.
Silence…
"It worked!" Someone chuckled.
Caroline opened her eyes. Directly in her field of vision was a man with a large bulbous nose, thick lips, shaggy eyebrows, and a shiny bald head. She scowled. "Who are you and where is my friend?"
For a moment, Bulbous Nose froze, and then he reacted.
"Oh hello! Good morning. How are you, m'Lady. Please do not be alarmed. I'm so happy to make your acquaintance. I am Captain Daran Duluth, of the 32 Division Ground Combat, at your service."
Caroline squinted at Captain Bulbous Nose, who was rambling at her, non-stop. Then she glanced over at the man next to Bulbous Nose. This guy had a handsome face but he was sporting such a bad dye job that his hair had turned ten shades of blue.
"Who's this dude?" Caroline pointed at Bad Dye Job.
"Dude? Er---well..." Captain Bulb Nose stuttered. "He's---ahh"
"I'm Erick Rashak." Bad Hair Dye responded.
"Well, Mr. Rashak, I need you to tell me, right now, why you and Captain bulb-nose are in Mira's house, and you need to tell me what you've done with my friend, or I will beat you both senseless with my crutch!"