Zalan rolled out of bed in minutes, more refreshed than he’d ever felt before. Stretching luxuriously, he tried to relax before he had to go face-to-face with Ma again. Rep hopped in next, closing his eyes and dozing off as Zalan looked around the room.

He could see why Ma was offended by the mention of money. Ma’s room probably cost a thousand times the amount of gold Rep could have offered. If not more. The gold he was willing to pay with wouldn’t even cover the door alone. The floor was a smooth marble. There were Artifacts hanging from strings, accenting the room with a feeling of unfathomable power. Zalan saw that the golden door was still propped open, not having moved since they entered. Zalan peeked outside the door back into the hall to see if anyone was watching them. He was amazed to find that they were truly left on their own. One minute they were being sent to their death, the next they were given complete trust in the inner sanctum. Ma must have really liked the flower.

Rep jumped off the bed and flexed his newly healed body. He took some time feeling at the lack of bruises on his face. Hopping back and forth on his feet, he regained confidence in moving without pain. Zalan touched his arm lightly, grateful not to feel the agony of a broken arm respond to his stress test.

“What exactly did you do to the flower, Zalan?” Rep asked. His voice had gone back to normal now that his welts were gone. “It was hard to tell when my face was held onto by their large hands.”

“I used the Reversal Stone on it.”

“You used one of the realm’s most powerful Artifacts on a flower?” Rep said, smiling. “Only you would do something like that.”

“What? Did you have any better ideas?”

“You misunderstand. I am not trying to disregard your success. I only mean that most others would have tried to exchange the Artifact for their lives. You put all your faith in the flower being the solution.”

“I didn’t really think about anything except that we were going to die. It was the only thing to come to mind. Are you calling me ignorant or thanking me for saving your life?”

Rep smirked, letting the question hang.

“We should make the bed and be getting back,” Rep said dismissively.

Rep fanned out the blanket, hoping to make it look as pristine as it was when they walked him. His face of concentration twisted into horror. Fanning the blanket once more, this time he focused on the sheets below. Eyes bulged in fear, he rolled the blanket off cautiously, as though he didn’t want to disturb the bedding. Zalan could finally see what was scaring Rep.

There were ample amounts of blood stains on the sheets. A mix of both Rep and Zalan’s wounds had permanently decided to alter the colors of Ma’s personal bed. Rep looked back to Zalan with a queasy look.

“Just cover it,” Zalan whispered, looking out the door again to make sure no one saw or heard them. “Nothing happened, everything is as clean as it was when we came in.”

“Zalan, this is her private quarters. She is going to kill us if she sees this. She will personally take our lives,” Rep groaned.

“I know! Just cover it with a pillow and we’ll be halfway across the sea by the time she notices,” Zalan said quickly.

“What if she…”

“I don’t know! Let’s just get back out there and pretend everything is fine!” Zalan said.

Rep wrung his hands nervously. Running his hands through his hair, Zalan became antsy looking at the mark and nudged Rep out of the way to cover the bed with the blanket, himself. He smoothed it out, trying to make it look like nothing was out of place. He looked around it nervously then turned to Rep. Rep nodded his head ambivalently.

Filled to the brim with stress and anxiety, the duo slipped through the golden door. Once on the other end, they pulled with all their might to close off Ma’s room from any wandering eyes. Even when uninjured, it took a surprising amount of strength to move the golden door. They took another nervous glance at one another and nodded, making their way back into the main chamber with Ma and her guards. All of the guards’ eyes turned to them when they entered. Zalan shrunk under their gazes, wondering if they could sense something had gone wrong in the inner chambers.

Ma was waving her hands above the vase. She beamed with a little girl’s smile. Zalan might have seen Ma’s face as heartwarming if he hadn’t known the potential to kill behind those eyes.

Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

The Nightbloom was visible once more, no longer hidden behind a black box. It was instead covered in a light shade now, as though it had a personal cloud overhead. Zalan wondered how Elemental Shadow was used in combat. He immediately took back his thought, hoping Ma wouldn’t so much as pretend to look at him with the intent to use her power.

The guards surrounding the room watched Rep and Zalan with an interesting focus. For some reason, the burly men inched away nervously from them and Zalan couldn’t figure out why. Amazingly, the room had already been cleaned of the dirt and mess Rep and Zalan brought in when they rushed inside. It looked like there was never a disturbance. Ma clearly kept her place immaculate at all hours.

“Did you rest well?” Ma asked sweetly, her eyes on the flower.

“We did, thank you,” Rep answered cordially.

“Did you make a mess in my room? Anything to clean up?” Ma asked, her gaze rising to meet theirs.

Rep swallowed, his mouth gone dry. Zalan pursed his lips. They were hoping they could somehow avoid the question.

“Be honest with me,” Ma warned.

Zalan sighed, his breath shaky as he exhaled.

“We… I mean, I got blood in your room. It’s staining the bed,” Zalan said, his voice small.

“Anywhere else?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Just blood staining the bed? That should be easy enough to clean,” Ma said casually, sounding a little too familiar with the experience.

Rep and Zalan stood silently, not sure about what else they should be saying. Ma fawned over her Nightbloom, watching it longingly and taking a light whiff of its plum scent. Patiently, Zalan and Rep waited with arms held tight at their sides. They had gotten away with leaving a mess in her private quarters, now all they had to do was not offend her. For all Zalan cared, she could spend the whole day staring at the flower. He just wanted to make it out in one piece.

“Now. What was it I promised you?” Ma asked, then quickly answered her own question. “A boat and crew for the Island of Remains? Captain McKittrick already agreed to go with you?”

Rep and Zalan nodded slightly.

“It is done,” Ma said, as though it were a trivial matter. “Anything else you need?”

Rep and Zalan shook their heads silently.

“Oh, come on, boys!” Ma laughed. “This Nightbloom is surely worth more than just a paltry vessel and some hired help. You look like you are in need of a new sword.”

Ma pointed to Zalan’s sheath and he flinched. He had forgotten he gave it away to the Boznoks. Looking down at his hip, he went flush with embarrassment. Once again, he felt like he didn’t know what the correct reply was. Did Ma want them to take her gifts or did she want them to say that they were already so well taken care of? He tried to talk around it.

“Oh, ummm… I was planning on getting myself a new sword before we left. You don’t need to worry about it.”

“Nonsense. Oshrad will take you and pay for whatever you like,” Ma said, the matter settled as soon as she spoke.

Oshrad nodded obediently, not an expression crossing his eyes. Zalan and Rep looked at him nervously, not sure they wanted to be in his company any longer.

“Thank you, Ma,” Rep said with a nod. “Your generosity is most… generous?”

“Anything else? Are you married?” Ma asked both of them.

They shook their heads. Zalan was still reeling from the change in Ma’s emotions. One minute she was ready to have them killed and now she was offering anything she could think of. Apparently no amount of gifts was enough for her now that they were on her good side.

“Name a woman, I can ask for her hand on your behalf. I will even host the feast,” Ma said.

“I think we’re fine for just the ride to the Island of Remains,” Zalan said, looking to Rep for support. Instead, it looked like Rep was seriously considering the last offer. He was lost in thought, the possibilities enticing him. Zalan nudged him. He blinked back into focus and shook his head at Ma, going warm in the face.

“I know that look, Rep. You tell me when you have someone in mind. I have been in search of a living Nightbloom for many moons. This is a beautiful day that should be the means for another beautiful day,” Ma said, giving the Nightbloom another look of love.

Again, Zalan and Rep stood in silence. They waited for Ma to say something more. She stared at the flower for a long minute, lost in its petals. She glanced back at the two friends.

“Is there something else you needed from me?” she asked patiently.

Zalan realized that she wasn’t going to dismiss them. He cleared his throat.

“No, you’ve been super helpful. Thanks again. We’ll get out of your way,” Zalan said.

“Feel free to visit whenever you wish. You have been given my authority,” Ma said, her eyes back on the flower.

Briskly, Rep and Zalan spun on their heels and rushed out of the room. Oshrad followed right behind them. Without discussing it, Rep and Zalan were both holding their breath, as though expecting to be poisoned on the way out. Emerging from the mansion, they stopped to get some air once they reached the end of Ma’s property. They caught their breath after they rushed outside. Looking at one another with elated smiles, both friends gave tired, airy laughs. Then, they turned back to Oshrad who stood vigilantly, towering over the two friends.

“Shall I show you sirs to your ship?” he asked respectfully.