Depression if you will.”
They both walked over to my brother’s prone figure with a
“Yessir” called over their shoulders.
I relaxed against KJ as I watched To-huan and her pet humans
join us then I looked up at the boy who still had his arms wrapped around
me.
He was looking at me then smiled before saying, “They, if you
haven't noticed, are totally the same. They’re twins in a way.” His voice
dropped to a conspiring whisper, “I think Immoritilis has a thing for Ming. I
think someone in the council will like Depression, and keep him from getting
too... Hurt. Yes definitely. She's... Let’s say, wiry.”
My voice was not quite a s soft as his was because I knew they
could hear us anyway, “Too bad for Immortilis, Ming-Lynn is totally in love with
Kinow. But they are welcome to fight it out.”
Kinow blanched as he looked at Immortillis’ muscular form, “Hey!
He can have her.”
Ming-Lynn started to sniffle as her face scrunched up then said
tearfully, “But, but.”
She burst into tears and I looked at Kinow with the “If looks
could kill you definitely would be dead” look, “Smooth Kinow,” I stepped away from KJ, he
let go almost reluctantly, and turned towards Ming-Lynn opening my arms. She ran
into my arms and I hugged the girl as she wept. I murmured, “Hush little one.
It's okay. He doesn't know what he just pushed away.”
KJ came up behind me and put a comforting hand on her head, “Hey
its okay. Kinow is just being an idiot. Don't mind him. You’ll be an awesome
catch for someone Ming.”
Kinow looked everywhere but at me or at Immortillis abashed. The
latter was glaring at him, “I didn't think...”
I cut in with a sharp voice, “No, you didn't think.” Then I drew
a deep breath to start chewing out Kinow but I felt KJ’s hand rest on my
shoulder gently so I slowly released the breath.
To-huan had ignored the drama unfolding before her as she stared
at John the Black coyishly, “How heavy is their armor? I think I could get to
like the company.”
Stephen, one of To-huan’s pets, looked at KJ, “We get to meet
the whole Council sir?”
KJ looked at Stephen’s collar curiously, “Yeah you'll be able to
meet the entire Council. They’ll come one at a time.”
I chuckled softly, “I don't think that anyone could keep him out
of trouble. But she is welcome to try.”
He looked at me, “She may not be able to control him but she can
definitely hold her own. Her name is Kari, but we sometimes call her ‘Black
Widow’,” He pointed to the girl who had been with him when we had first escaped,
“Here she comes now. Just don't tick her off... Too late.”
Kari walked into the clearing and went straight over to Kinow
before striking him in the throat, “That, ye bastard, is fer bein’ cruel to the
nice gal over there!” The she walked over to Depression’s still unconscious
form, “This im? Course it is Ah reco’nize ‘im from before.” She looked him over,
“Good job on puttin’ ‘im down Allacia. Alright boys I’ll take it from ‘ere.”
Immortilis stood and looked at To-huan, “Our armor is light. It
weighs only 45lbs all together. Since it is made from mithril and dragon skin it
is nearly impenetrable.”
John the Black smiled at To-huan, “We as well, the Council that
is, are the very few who can wield sentient
swords.”
Immortilis then looked over at Ming-Lynn with sympathy as she
continued to cry, “Sir I’ll go make my patrol.”
KJ didn’t even look up,“Fine.” Then he leaned down and whispered
in my ear, “He’s uncomfortable around Ming. Never been that way
before…”
I looked over at Kari tending to Depression, “Don't worry about
him. He's half demon, half elf. He'll heal quickly. Oh look, he's coming
around.”
Depression groaned as he opened his eyes, “That's the last time
I fall for that one.”
“You're lucky you're half demon,” I said then I smiled harshly,
“Otherwise you would still be out cold.”
Depression looked at me with disdain, “I'd rather be half demon
than half Death Warrior like you Allacia.”
I went rigid despite having KJ’s strong arms around me. Then my voice went cold and deadly as
I poured as much venom into it as I possibly could, “Shut up. I told you never
to bring that up.”
Depression laughed evilly but said nothing as he turned to look
Kari over.
Ming-Lynn slowly stopped crying, “Thanks KJ for what you said.
But do you really think I would be a good catch for anyone?” She smiled as he
nodded then looked over at where Kinow was lying still winded from Kari’s blow,
“He deserved that.”
To-huan batted her eyes at John the Black and spoke with a voice
that was just as coy as her smile, “We don't use armor. But we do use
unoptainium swords. They go through any
armor.”
John the Black looked at To-huan and smiled, “Really? I brought some extra material.
Let’s see how well the sword can stand up to it. If you can get it through you
can hold Soultaker for a while. Deal?”