The Night Jewel

Chapter 25: If only there was a way...

Zebella stood over the casket. She heaved the door of the coffin open. It had barely been a few hours since they buried Sakru's remains and her and mourned Morrgiana. They were all frozen, except Zebella, though she a rely showed it. Azura and Tomas stood with her and Onti as Zebella finally broke the seals, physical and magical off the casket.

Azura and Tomas couldn't even speak. The sorceress, the leader of the mages, teacher to many and mother to most- Morrgiana- she was gone. Maybe forever, maybe not. And Firren was the one who killed her. Firren. Who has lost her chance at being everything she could have been. Azura wondered if it was her fault- if she'd just spoken to her.

The lid of the casket slid off- the stone lid hid wooden walls and a silk and velvet lined casket. Zebella huffed on we more and then fell over the sides to greet the figure inside. She was a girl, an elf. She wore a white under gown and a black overdress. The vampire lay in a death like sleep, her body barely moving wth breath, if there was any.

Zebella put her down in a nearby bed they'd set up, with Onti sitting on the edge. The group paused and Zebella took a moment. She approached Tomas and Azura. She tapped Azura's shoulder and placed the amulet in her hand.

"Here. You don't want to keep the Governor waiting."

"Zebella?"

"Yeah?" Asked the Tiefling.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah. I'm fine." She responded coldly. She turned back to the girl in the bed and spoke softly. While she was facing the girl, Azura couldn't quiet tell from her tone if Zebella was speaking to Azura or not.

"I've got some good agents preparing what I need. " Zebella chuckled. "Winona and Millstone have never let us down, have they?" She smiled slightly.

"Frygga will be here with the goods." Onticath tried to console her.

"I know."

"Get your time and head out with them. You need air."

Zebella rubbed her face. "You're right, Onti. You're always right." She stood up and so did Onticath. The Orc lay his hands on Zebella's shoulder and looked her deep in the eyes.

"Zebella, we're here for you. You're my friend and my second."

She sighed. "I should have been more careful. If I was, maybe we wouldn't have lost Sakru and-"

"No. Stop." Onticath spoke firmly. "You did your part. We got her back, Zebella."

"Sakru didn't have to die."

"I know. But we've got reason now. And I can handle things right now. Get some air, Tip. I'll take care of her."

Zebella nodded and wandered out. "Come on." She gestured to Azura and Tomas.

Zebella pulled a small red tune out of her pocket and threw it on. Nothing changed to Tomas and Azura's perspectives, but she now has a strange shimmer about her.

"Let's get this amulet to Governor Eventide."

The trek back to her office was awkward and slow. Thoughts racing through the heads of all those who had invaded the castle, but one mind was only full of curses. Calliope couldn't wait to get her hands back on her ship and make a break for the Hilgeranna. She wanted to buy- or steal- some Guarmhall and then sell it back along the coast near Gethellen. And if no one payed enough she'd smoke it herself. Sulphris couldn't help but watch the group, as they felt apart. They couldn't help but see the despair weighing in on Azura. All they'd lost- would they ever get to the Hilgeranna now?