Chapter 12 Part 1

A few hours later and outside the door of room one, Haider and Heather lay down some ground rules for Christopher to follow. The list got long and extensive on what he couldn't say.

"last but certainly not least, don't fucking insult them. We're talking they're stupid or any other descriptive words that could be offensive." Haider says.

On the other side of the door, we have Thordis and Mizubi saying the same thing to Krenn.

(narrator) who's the girl with them? She's cute.

"Llamiryl, please keep the oaf occupied while we talk to the kids. From what Haider told me, Christopher sounds sensitive to any bullshit." Mizubi says.

"you got it. Krenn, come help me finish this puzzle." Llamiryl says.

(narrator) but there's a piece that isn't there.

Holding the puzzle piece in her hand, Llamiryl says, "that should keep him busy."

Haider gently knocks on the door and Mizubi springs over to the door, opens it and hides behind it. "is that elf stupid? I can see him through the crack in the door." Christopher says.

Both Haider and Heather lower their heads and exhale with exasperation.

"the second they open the door? Seriously Christopher!" Haider scolds.

"no it's fine. I am an idiot; I don't know why I fear a little human boy." Mizubi says.

"probably because this little human boy can remove you from-." Christopher gets cut off.

"shut up, bro! you can't say that! There are people listening everywhere!" Heather pushes Christopher and Haider into the room and closed the door behind her.

"what did you cut me off for?" Christopher yells.

"there are spies standing round the corner of the hallway." Heather says.

"how do you know that?" Llamiryl asks.

"I have a spider made with soulustrious magic keeping watch for me. Give me a second." Heather says, her eyes turning white.

"by the mother! what the fuck?" Thordis yells.

Looking at Heather, Haider says, "oh she's just taking full control of the soulustriousized Vine Spider."

"I'm surprised you can say that without stuttering." Mizubi says.

"I have him to thank for my vocabulary." Haider says as he points at Christopher.

"well dad didn't let me do anything else but study, exercise and meditate, so why the hell not teach you what I learn?" Christopher says.

"I guess I'd probably be as thick headed as the big Lizardman in the back." Haider says.

"yeah, that's Krenn Borg. He's an iron plate Berserker. The elves are Mizubi Hyoka. An iron plate, Archer and Llamiryl Genhorn. She's an iron plate Healer. My name is Thordis Benson and I'm an iron plate Knight." Thordis says.

"awesome, you don't see female Knights too often. I'd love to spar sometime." Haider says.

"I don't think that you'd measure up. Plus, I only spar with blades and I don't see one on you." Thordis says.

"the only reason you don't see me with blades." Haider makes a sabre, the blade growing from the hilt. "is because I make my own."

"may I?" Thordis asks, holding out her hand.

"go ahead." Haider gives Thordis his newly made blade.

Thordis inspects the blade made from Haider's ice. "it's a nice blade. Did your dad Heddwyn teach you how to refine your blade?" she asks.

"I mean kinda. He never outright told me how. I had to figure out how to make the blade sharp and light on my own. Flexibility is still an issue, however. So I need to use a shield to block and parry." Haider replies as Thordis continues to inspect the blade.

"that makes sense. Since it's made of ice, it was the right choice to train with a shield. Make one and I shall assess your blade against it." Thordis stands up and takes a stance.

Haider makes a shield and takes a defensive stance, reading himself to block. Thordis raises the sword and puts all her strength into swing. As the sword hits the shield, it makes an irritating scratching noise before snapping from the sheer force. Haider drops the shield from sudden intense pain and collapses to a knee, holding his arm.

"your shield is perfect. However, the blade needs a little more reinforcement on the back." Thordis criticises.

"damn lady! That hurt. Couldn't you have held back a little?" Haider says. Christopher snickers behind him.

"if I held back, you would have an incorrect assessment of my strength. We can't have you thinking you're better than me." Thordis says.

"it sounds like dad was holding back quite a bit if you buckled right here, heh." Christopher teased.

"at least I have actual battle training from him, unlike you." Haider stands back up, still holding his arm. His ice shield and broken sword vaporises.

"you were using dry ice. That's impressive. You should be proud of that." Thordis says.

Heather comes back from her coma like state and yells. "no! Hazel!"

"who the fuck is Hazel?" Mizubi asks.

"it's her pet spider's name. what happened?" Haider asks.

"those bastards got scared my baby and killed him with a knife! I'm gonna murder them!" Heather yells, storming out the room.

"Heather hold on!" Haider runs after her.

Now power walking down the centre of the hallway. Heather points to where the spies are and says, "you will pay for killing Hazel!" tears streaming down her face.

Heather throws down some vine seeds and grows them into a leopard. She soulustriousized the vine leopard and sends it charging at the spies. The leopard roars as it turns the corner, and two high-pitched yells emanate from the middle of the dining area, followed by a thud.

The vine leopard pins the men down and secures them by unravelling itself around their throats. As this happens, heather marches down the stairs. A rage filled aura consumes and overpowers the atmosphere of the room.

"I will get justice for Hazel. How dare you kill him!" Heather tightens the leopard's chokehold on the spies, their head's turning purple.

"Heather wait! We need to question them. Don't kill em." Haider yells.

Heather, blinded by rage, couldn't hear what he said. "I can't believe I'm about to say this." Haider takes a deep breath. "if you don't stop, I'll hurt your leopard." He yells.

"no not Simon! Ok, ok ill stop." Heather releases the hold and instead wraps the untangled vines around their wrists and ankles.

The rest of the group, excluding Krenn and Llamiryl, walk down the stairs.

"Christopher, you're up." Haider says.

Zoey comes rushing in. The sudden silence in the room alarmed her. "what the heck is going on?" she asks.

"these guys have been spying on us and they killed Hazel, Heather's Vine Spider. Now Christopher is going to get answers." Haider says.

Zoey looks at the two on the floor. "they are reporters for the paper. Liam, Nathio, you really need to change the way you report. Just walk up and ask for Mother's sake."

"you know them?" Christopher asks.

"not personally, but they are well known to use unorthodox methods, as you can tell." Zoey says.

Christopher squats down next to them and says, "next time we catch you doing this will be the last time. Because I'll slice your ears off so you can't hear shit!" Christopher threatens.

They both nod. "why aren't they talking?" Christopher asks.

"they have the silence curse cast on them. They were framed with murder after witnessing it take place. The criminal was caught though, thank god." Zoey explains.

"hmm, I get you. let them go sis." Christopher says.

"fine but I'm taking their coin as emotional damage compensation." Heather says, taking their coin. "a few silvers? I guess it will do. Hazel was such a good Vine Spider." Heather mourns.

She commands her leopard and releases their restraints. The soulustriousized vines moves to her side and she pets him. The reporters get up, bow, and exit the premises.

"continue having a fun time everyone! This thing sorted itself out. I have leftover oatmeal bars from yesterday. They're on the house!" Zoey fills the room with her positive bubbly aura, restoring the atmosphere that Heather destroyed.

"we should get back to the room now. The thing we need to tell you is kinda important." Thordis says.

(narrator) what could be so important that it would need to be said in private?

Now that everyone is back in room one and Krenn finally figuring out that Llamiryl took the last piece of the puzzle. They get down to business.

"so, what is this letter that Engilram sent you?" Haider asks.

"it asks us to look after you while you go through college. It's a request from both the priest and your dad. Are you ok with this?" Mizubi says.

"I only have one issue. Are you capable enough to protect us? I mean, we know Thordis is strong enough, but not the rest of you." Christopher says.

"what do you suggest we do about that?" Thordis asks.

"I'm not sure, but I agree with the boy. We should try to prove ourselves to be competent enough." Llamiryl says.

"I got an idea. Let's go to a secluded spot and set up a little tournament. It'll be fun! Your group versus our group!" Christopher says.

"the numbers don't match up." Mizubi says.

"that's fine! Thordis can skip an opponent or something. Or we can do a mock battle." Christopher suggests.