Survival and the Deal

Iris

I tossed Lolo out the door as the house crumbled and tumbled down upon me. I heard him screaming for me. I could hear the commotion from outside until all I could hear was the wind. My lower right leg felt like it was on fire.

“Iris, Iris? Wake up and follow me.” A female voice said as it pulled me out of the rubble.

“I am awake and who are you?” I asked as the rubble cleared from above me.

“Need not to know my name, but shall we meet again soon. Name I cannot say as that would be violation to personal self.” She said as I looked at her.

I noticed that she was a Shelldor. She was a Jet-Black Shelldor. Her eyes were the colors of pink pearls and her horn was straight then curved. She wore a gray feather that stuck from behind her ear. I remember that White Feather had a single feather behind her ear.

“What is the feather for, or signify?” I asked as I smiled at her.

“Signifying Feather means Pureblood Shelldor we are. Half-bloods and Males have not the privilege nor power to have thy Significant Feather.” She said with a smile as she took the feather from behind her ear.

She offered it to me, and I looked at her confused. She smiled as she stuck the feather behind my ear. I smiled and looked at her confused.

“Confusion I see upon your lovely face. Looks nice it is on you. Feather of White Dove and Seven Seas Pirate will know who saved your life. Leg you must heal soon. Find you, they must not.” She said with a smile.

She walked away from me and disappeared into thin air. I wonder if that was White Feather’s mom. At this point, I need to find my way to Lolo. I looked down at myself and realized my shirt had small holes in it and my jeans on the right, was ripped from the top of the wound. My left leg had small rips in them. My right arm had a few scratches that a thin line of scarlet showed through. At that point, I didn’t care what I looked like. I looked at the ground and saw blood on the ground. I walked over to it and scooped some up. I smelt it and I knew immediately that it belonged to Lolo. I saw his footprints and a trail of blood. Then, I heard thunder rolling in.

“Alright, check the area for signs of life!” A young male voice said as I started to limp away from the rubble.

I didn’t pay much attention to the gaping wound on my lower leg, even though it burned like it was on fire. I could feel the blood trickle down my leg. I heard someone sniffing the area.

“I smell blood and… *sniffs the air once more* a female?” Another male voice said questioning on what he smelt.

“Baldur! Go check it out!” The young male voice ordered.

He rustled through the leaves and I wanted to run but I stayed still. He saw me but he didn’t recognize me from behind. He hooted like an owl and I heard the leaves rustle until it was dead silent. I could see 3 guys and a woman within my peripheral vision.

“Hello, madam. Who might you be?” The woman asked as she could see blood dripping from my hand, and it ran down my leg.

“Who are you four?” I asked a little irritated with their presence.

“I am Baldur of the High Commission. This is Herald, Drake and Nancy. Who might you be, young miss?” The tallest male of them said as he respectfully bowed to me.

“Are you Elven folk or humans?” I asked as I felt waves of pain in my leg.

“Nancy and I are Elven folk from the Northern Forest, but Drake and Herald are Vulcanite. Are you alright, hibrido baten alaba (daughter of a hybrid)?” Baldur said as he looked at my leg.

“Why are the Vulcanite here and not up North where they belong?” I asked as I dropped to one knee and I sat the rest of the way.

“Turn around so we can see you, child.” Herald said as he saw the blood start to pool under my leg.

I could see the wound was covered in dust and other nasty things. I could see the bone, but I knew it wasn’t broken. I started to feel woozy and I laid back. I passed out for only the Sun Goddess knows. I woke up to soft bed made of feathers, instead of hard rock. I rubbed my head and sat up. I looked around to see that the room was almost like a cage but an actual room.

‘Ugh… my head hurts. Where am I? How did I get here?’ I thought to myself.

I heard voices from my left, and I saw the four people from earlier. They stopped talking when I guess Drake, the blonde looking Vulcanite, pointed at me.

“Thy patient is awake. How are you feeling, Iris?” Drake asked as Baldur and Nancy walked forward.

“My leg… um… hurts, and I do have a splitting headache. Where am I at exactly?” I said as I sat up and saw movement in the dark.

“You are lucky to know where part of thy Vulcanite live. You are at the House of Hybridization in Redina. No, you are not far from Shelldera. Redina is only 3 to 4-minute walk from here. Thy patient is in no condition to walk that long. Rest and we shall see if you will be able to walk tomorrow.” Herald, a buff yet tall Vulcanite, said as he stepped closer.

I tried to stand up, but I fell to the floor. I cannot believe it. Am I so weak that I need to actually rest? Ah, hell. Nancy and Baldur came over and helped me back up on the bed.

“Why are you Vulcabrats helping me?” I asked as Nancy put the blanket over my lap.

“Such vulgar language is not tolerated here. We are helping you because we wanted to know what you are. You aren’t an Elf, human or a Shelldor. What are you exactly?” Herald said as he walked over toward me.

“I am half Draginucous and half Elf. I know what I am. You are apparently one of the lower counted Vulcabrats.” I snapped back as pain seared through my leg.

“Thy pain has returned, no?” Nancy asked as she grabbed for a glass bottle.

“I can bear… through it. I need to find Lolo.” I said as the pain in my leg got more intense.

“Let us ease the pain for you, Iris.” Drake said as he had a syringe full of something pink.

“No. Drake go get some ice and a bucket of water. Nancy, go get me some gauze, crutches, and a medicinal wrap. Herald. I need you to go find more information about Iris. See if she has any family members other than someone named Lolo.” Baldur ordered as he glared at them.

They nodded and headed to go get what he needed. It felt like my leg was on fire by now. He looked at me. He sat on the bed and touched my wounded leg. He closed his eyes and spoke a rhyme.

“Through flesh and blood, heal this chosen one. She brings peace and will not cease. She is two within one, heal her so she can love.” Baldur said as his hand started to glow a warm yellow color.

The pain ceased as the blanket warmed up and I could feel my wound heal. It was a tingly feeling and then I could feel my own skin moved to close the wound. I looked at him surprised as Drake came in with the 2 buckets full of water and ice. Nancy came in right afterwards with the gauze, medicinal wrap, and crutches. Drake set the two buckets near the bed. Nancy set the medicinal wrap and the gauze on a table and rolled it to the bed.

“May I take a look, niece of Badilia?” Baldur said as he stood up.

“No, you may not look. How do you know Badilia?” I asked as I glared at him.

“I need to look at it. I know Badilia because I am her boyfriend.” Baldur said as he looked at me.

“The first rule for the Southern and the Northern Elves; Northern Elves cannot date or marry Southern Elves and vice versa.” I said with concern.

“Well, your father broke a rule too.” Baldur said ignoring what I said with a slight smile.

I rolled my eyes and uncovered my lower right leg. It still hurt to the touch, but it wasn’t a big hole either. It was weeping a little bit from a medium sized hole. He grabbed a small hand cloth from off the side table and dipped it into the bucket of water. He wrung the towel out, folded it and set it on my wound. I winced as he set the cloth on my wound and yet the water slowly started to ease the pain. He grabbed another cloth from the same side table and put ice in it. He tied the corners and set the ball of ice on top of the wet cloth. The ice made it burn and it made me winced at the pain. I was just about to scream when Herald bolted through the door.

“Sir, sir!! You will not believe at thy information I have found about her.” Herald said, running in as he held a small stack of papers.

“What did you find, Herald?” Baldur asked as Herald got to him.

“Tara L. Diera of the Southern Elves from the Southern Forest is her father. It also says her mother is unknown. It said that her brother is Lolo Darius Freedom. In this picture I printed out, her mother looks like she is human. How can she be half Draginucous, I wonder?” Herald said as he gave the papers to Baldur.

Baldur looked through the papers and found the picture on the 4th paper in. He showed it to me, and I froze. It showed Tara, Lolo, Deera and me. Mama… mama… MAMA!!! I peeled the blankets off me and jumped off the bed. I landed on my knees, but I stood up and tried to run.

“Mama? Mama!! Where art thou?” I asked with a screech and Herald and Drake held me back.

“What is your mama’s name and what is she?” Nancy asked as she helped them set me back down and Baldur showed me the picture again.

“Deera Freedom. That is my mama’s name. She is the last Black Draginucous. I need my Mama!!” I snapped as I was held down in the bed.

“Tranquilize her!! Give her 80 cc Dazacome!!” Nancy barked the order.

I flailed as they held me down. I was tiring myself out, but I knew I needed my Madre. Drake searched for the needle and syringe as Baldur grabbed the glass bottle. Drake tossed him the needle and syringe. Baldur caught it and pulled the medicine out of the glass bottle. I struggled as I felt him stab the needle into my leg and pushed the medicine into my body. My body immediately relaxed, and I started to fall asleep. I kept shaking my head to stay awake but to no avail. I fell into a deep, deep sleep. Hours went by as I slept and slept. I felt someone lightly shaking me as I started to wake up.

“Daru Daru, I am here, my child.” Deera said as I could see her.

“Madre!! Oh, how I’ve missed you.” I said as she and I embraced in a hug.

“How sweet is this, Captain Singe?” Drake asked as a young man walked up to us.

“Yes, but it is too sweet for my taste.” The young male said as he grabbed mama.

“Give her back!!” I snarled as he pulled her away from me.

“Let go of me, you nasty varmint!!!” Deera snarled as she turned into her Draginucous form and slid out of his hands.

She stood over the bed I was in and looked down at him. She growled as the man stumbled a few feet backwards. He looked at her astonished as blue misty magic swirled next the Deera and who walked in and… appeared but my dad, Tara.

“Papa!!”” I yelled with a smile and my leg was starting to burn.

“Stay away from my daughtren and my wife.” Tara said calmly as he held the Staff of Riles and the Book of Norawind.

“I am so scared, Deathly Hallows.” The young male said as he shook his hands for a dramatic effect.

“Deathly Hallows is not my name, Old one. My name is Tara Lerandor Diera.” Tara snapped back as he recognized who it was.

I never knew that my dad had a Master Given name like that when he had his Master. The young male started laughing and walked over toward Tara.

“My Sister will be happy to hear that her favorite Death Keeper’s father came to the rescue of a puny little girl.” He snapped at Tara as he started to get close to him.

“Back Away or there will be no deals offered.” Tara said as his book opened, and pages flipped until it stopped.

The man stopped. He thought for a moment and my leg felt like it was on fire. I took the blanket off my leg and saw my leg where my wound is was wrapped neatly. I stood up, shakily but I fell when I took a step forward. Baldur walked over to me and helped me stand up again. He put a crutch under one arm and taught me how to walk with it. Tara swallowed hard as he motioned for Deera to relax. She relaxed and changed back into her human form. She stood next to him.

“Why kind of deal, Deathly Hallows?” He asked.

“Let Deera and Iris go and… and I will stay with you.” Tara offered as he lost his smile.

“Interesting, Interesting. Your life for theirs? I will accept that just as long as my daughter can have you as well.” He said.

“Yes, my lord. I accept that deal as well.” Tara said as he bowed to him.

He motioned for Tara to follow him and Tara stood up. Tara went to follow him.

“No, Honey bunches of war. Don’t go back to that type of filthy life.” Deera said as she started crying.

“If it is to have him leave you and Iris alone, I shall do it. Not for the sake of my life but, to protect my family.” Tara said as he looked back at Deera and I.

“No, Padre. Let me go in your place.” I said as I used the crutch to help walk me over toward him.

“No, daughtren of mine. You are in no position to take my place. Deera, take her home and have the rest of the family look for Lolo. I will not be home for dinner tonight.” Tara said as he turned back around and walked away from them.

Deera started to cry but I picked up a rock and chunked it at the old man. It hit the back of his neck and he looked around. He spotted me, a few yards away from him and Tara.

“Ah, Daru Daru. Aren’t you the daughter of this elf?” He asked as he pointed at Tara.

“Leave him alone. I am the one you want. I am Daru Daru, one acquaintance of your daughters. She left me to rot under the rubble of a house that collapsed upon me. I saved the many lives of those we call Acquaintances.” I snarled as I tried to stand up tall.

“My, my, my. What an attitude she’s got even though she is injured.” He said with a smile.

He grabbed me by the front of my shirt and drug me as he walked with Tara behind him. It was a long time before I was thrown against a door. He motioned for me to open the door, but I was too weak to stand and open it. Tara helped me stand up and he opened the door. The young man gave us to an older man and walked away from us.

“Rose Petal!! Where are you?” The older man asked as we walked in and I saw Lolo.

“Master Rose is not here right now. May I take a message for you?” Lolo answered as the others hustled and bustled.

“Where is she?” He asked Lolo.

“She went to see if Daru Daru was alive under all the rubble. I see you have brought Deathly Hollows and Daru Daru. I will send one of the acquaintances to go get her immediately.” Lolo said as he glanced at me and father.

He whistled and Aphrodite dropped from the ceiling. She landed in front of Lolo, knelt down. He whispered to her and she took off like a bullet. He whistled again and Raja walked up to Lolo and bowed to him.

“Take Mr. Dormant to Master’s office. I will take these two to a cell until she gets back.” Lolo ordered as I watched Lolo’s stone-cold face.

Raja nodded and guided Mr. Dormant to her office as Lolo walked toward us. He got close to us and glared at us.

“I am guessing you know who Mr. Dormant is, right Fada?” Lolo asked the question looking for an immediate answer.

“I know him personally from… my past. I did not wish this upon myself, Death Keeper.” Tara said as he looked Lolo in defeat.

Lolo saw the feather behind my ear, and he dropped to his knees. He started shaking his head, back and forth, back and forth. He kept mumbling to himself as he looked from the feather to my face. Tara finally caught up with what was going on.

“Whose Feather does that belong to?” Tara asked me.

“I… I do not know. She kept saying something about Seven Seas Pirate and Feather of White Dove should know who rescued me.” I said, halfway lying.

“Silence!!! Silence, my dear ones.” Our Master said as she walked into the room.

Lolo stood up and saluted to her. She pointed at me and Tara. I let Lolo explain why I was here and same with Tara. She walked over to us and smiled at me.

“Daru Daru, my dear Black Lemon. Who saved you from the wretched rubble?” She asked as she slid her fingers from my forehead and behind my ear where she plucked the feather.

“Give that back!! It doesn’t… aah… it doesn’t belong to you!!” I snarled as I jumped and plucked the feather out of her hands.

I put the feather back behind my ear and glared at her. I tried to stand tall, but my injured leg gave out. So, I fell to the ground as my leg throbbed with pain. Lolo went to run to me, but Master held him back. She sighed and walked to her office door.

“Leave her be. We have other business to take care of. She isn’t worth messing with and she doesn’t deserve your time and effort. Deathly Hallows!! Follow me and leave her be. She shall stay there, so no one shall mess with her while she heals.” Master said as she stood at her office door.

Lolo sighed and Tara did the same, but they both walked after her. She walked into her office with those two behind her. The door shut behind them and all was quiet.

“What is she planning?” I asked myself as I stood up and faced the North.

My leg felt like it was on fire. I made myself a cane so I could walk.