I'm back.

And with my return comes.....!!!!!!!!

Haha, I was really tempted to say nothing, but there actually is something this time!! :D *readers groan* Get over it, people. :P Yes, I might just possibly be like this in real life. *pats my real life friends* Thanks for putting up with me. *GRIN*

Anyways!! As I was saying...with my return comes...Chapter 2 of Rael's Redemption!! (title subject to change)

Now, I made some changes to chapter 1 in order for everything in Chapter 2 to make sense. SO! IF anyone wants to reread chapter 1, with the changes made, I'm going to edit my original chapter 1 post so the new version may be found there.

And now...Chapter 2. *posts and hides*


Chapter 2

I awoke to someone bouncing on my bed.

“Rory…” I said through gritted teeth. “You’d better have a good reason for this.”

“It just so happens that I do…” Her normally cheerful voice sounded strained to me. I sat up, alert. “Rory, what’s wrong?”

“Um…your benefactor is here…he wants to see you.”

“He’s here? Now?” I scrambled out of bed, running my fingers through my disheveled curls.

“Yeah, now. Rael…be careful around him.”

“I’m always careful.” I said as pulled on my dress uniform.

“Right. You have the amulet?”

“Of course I have the amulet!” I said, frustrated enough to snap at my best friend.

“Sorry, my bad,” she said, her voice sounding hurt.

I slumped. “Rory…I’m sorry. You know I’m under a lot of pressure right now…” I sighed, knowing how awful that sounded. Giving up on words, I hugged her tight. “I’m sorry.” With that, I grabbed the amulet, and hurried out the door and down the hallway. I clutched the amulet in my hand. What if it wasn’t enough?

Reaching the meeting room, I pause to compose myself, then pushed the heavy door open. Much to my surprise the guildmaster stood inside with a tall, dark man, who stayed hidden in the shadows.

“Lady!” I bowed quickly. “Forgive me, I did not know you would be present.”

“Calm, Rael. I’m just here to make sure things go smoothly. You’re one of my top thieves! I have to make sure nothing…” she glanced at the tall man, “unfortunate happens.”

“Yes, Lady. Thank you, Lady.” I bowed again. This was a rare occurrence. It was not the guildmaster’s job to take care of her thieves; we’re responsible for ourselves, always have been. I was either something special, or the Lady wanted me to owe her.

I stood there, shifting my feet, waiting for the lady to start the meeting.

“Oh, don’t mind me,” she said, noticing my hesitation, “Just act like I’m not here.”

I bowed towards her, and then in the direction of my benefactor. I paused, and then began the little speech I had practiced on the trip down the hall.

“Sir, I regret to inform you that I was unable to perform the task you required of me last night.”

“I know.” The stranger cut in. “Why do you think I’m here?”

“Of course, Sir. Begging your pardon. But I do have a means of payment.”

He leaned forward. My hand slowed on its way to my pocket. What if the medallion was worth more than I thought, and he tried to take it from me? But it was too late for such thoughts now, and so I pulled it from its place. “I have this, Sir. Will it be enough?”

What I could see of his shadowed face moved, as though he were smiling, but I was soon proven wrong.

“You think this trifling bauble is enough to repay me?”

“I have not a full understanding of its worth, but I’m sure it is sufficient for whatever I owe you.” I said.

“Oh really! You’re suddenly an authority on gems and metals?”

I had just opened my mouth with a biting reply, when I heard the Lady’s sweet voice fill the air.

“Sir, the guild will pay whatever Rael owes you.”

I stood there, mouth open in shock. She really did want me to owe her! There was no record of her ever doing this for any of the other thieves, and I had to wonder what she meant by it.

“It’s a deal,” said my benefactor, a little too swift for my taste.

“Rael, you’re not needed here anymore, you may go.”

I turned to go, not understanding what was going on. Never had such a thing happened before, and it was puzzling. Walking down the hall, I met Rory, who promptly asked about the weird face I was making. I was too consumed by my thoughts to comprehend what she was saying, but the hard punch in the arm made me aware of her presence.

“Finally!” She said, and I could hear the exasperation in her voice.

“Sorry. Something strange just happened.”

“Strange as in, let’s talk privately?”

“That might be best.”

Seeing that I wasn’t going to be moving anywhere on my own any time soon, Rory, for the second time that day, grabbed my arm and pulled me towards our room. Once inside, she forced me to sit on the bed.

“Tell.”

The words were a command, and a command I obeyed immediately. I always thought Rory would make an excellent guildmaster. Her slim build reminded me much of the current Lady’s, and her red hair was pulled back in almost the exact same style.

The guildmaster had always been a lady, no one knew exactly why…it was just how things were. Some said it was because women were less greedy than men, but that’s not true at all; we’re just sneakier about it. I personally think it’s because we’re intimidating. I’m sure that’s it.

After I had finished my bizarre tale, Rory sat on the bed next to me, looking as confused as I felt.

“That’s…weird.”

I nodded my head; my mind was out of words. “Why me? I’m not special? I’m not any different or better than any of the other thieves here!”

“Well that’s nice to know!” Rory said, rolling her eyes at me.

“Hey!” I said, a little hurt by her tone of voice, “I didn’t ask for this, okay? I have no more of a clue than you do as to what’s going on around here.”

“You’re right…I’m sorry.” She said, hanging her head.

I hugged her tight, “It’s alright, Ror, I probably would have said the same thing in your position.”

She laughed. “No you wouldn’t. You’d have said something ten times worse.”

I punched her arm playfully. “Very funny.” Deciding to change the subject, I added, “Come on, let’s go get something to eat, I’m starved.” And it was true. I hadn’t eaten since a quick supper the day before.

She looked at me hard, as if she were still not sure she as okay with the things going on with me and the guild.

“My treat.” I added as a bonus.

“You’re on.” She said with a smile. Who said affection couldn’t be bought?

We walked down the dusty city street that was full of people selling things, walking, talking, and a few fights here and there. I took a deep breath. Yes, the city was the life for me. I couldn’t imagine what country people did all day! There was so much to see and do in the city, so many colours and sounds. Yes, to me, Afinel was as close to heaven on earth as one could get. And the thieves were the backbone to it all.

Without us, the city would be dead, the nobles broke, fat, and boring. We kept things around here interesting. Some of the Houses had favourites among the thieves, but I made sure my loyalties were divided. I was not attached to one house more than I was to another. To me, that was playing it safe; keep them guessing.

I walked with a very distinct swagger, pulling Rory along behind me. I owned this city. There was hardly a person on the street who I didn’t know in some capacity. I had made an effort to get to know them all, and by now, I was pretty sure I did.

“Rael.”

I started at the sound of Rory’s voice very near my ear. “What?” I asked.

“A man…he’s been following us ever since we left the guild. And if you hadn’t been so focused on your ‘I own the town’ swagger, maybe you would have noticed!”

“Okay, my bad! Don’t forget all the times I’ve saved your life! You’re just now starting to catch up!”

“You’re keeping track?!” She asked, the irritation clear in her voice.

“Of…course not! Why would I do that?” I backpedaled. “It was just a joke, Ror! Lighten up a bit, huh?”

She sighed, and I was pretty sure she didn’t believe me. But it wasn’t a complete lie…I only had a vague idea of the count, not a definite number.

“So, what do we do?” Rory’s voice sounded uncertain in my ear.

“We keep walking! We’re just two members of a guild going out for lunch. We’re easily a match for him, and last I checked, eating lunch isn’t a crime, so he’s got nothing on us. In short, we ignore him.” I braced myself for the pout I knew was going to come. And it did.

“But Rae…I wanted to take him out!”

I patted her arm. “I know, Dear, but we simply don’t have time for it today.” I teased.

“Fine.” She huffed.

Ror and I had been friends since the streets. We knew each other’s moves backwards and forwards, but still never failed to enjoy each other’s company.

We walked through the streets, arm in arm. Me pointedly ignoring the man who was following us, Rory, glancing back at him several times, smiling in a way I knew meant she found him quite pleasing to the eyes.

He really was a handsome man. Tousled blonde hair, blue-green eyes, tall and toned. I understood why Rory was interested. If I hadn’t lost my heart years ago, I would be too. Rory had always been flighty when it came to matters of the heart. From war, to love, then back to war in an instant. But me…If I loved, I loved forever.

I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts, not wanting to think about the past. I asked, “Where shall we eat today, Dear Rory?”

She rolled her eyes. I seem to get that a lot.

“How about the only place you can afford, Dear Rae.”

“Watch the attitude, or I’ll change my mind!” I teased.

She glared at me. I always seem to get the dark side of Rory’s extensive collection of facial expressions. I’ll have to work on that.

I led the way to our usual pub, a cheap, but clean place that served moderately good food. We ordered, which took longer than it should have, because I had to convince Rory she should not order the most expensive item on the menu. As we waited, I played around with the amulet while Rory and I talked about our handsome follower.

In truth, he was very good looking, and Rory might have found him worth knowing if he hadn’t been following us.

“So,” she asked, “do we try to lose him?”

I shrugged. “I don’t see why we should. It’s not every day a good looking man follows us watching our every move! Spies are good for a girl’s ego.” I said, grinning.

“Yeah, unless he’s ugly.” Rory muttered.

“Nah, it’s still good for the ego, it’s just not quite as fun.” I smirked.

Our food came out at last, much to my relief, as I had run out of funny things to say. We ate our meal in silence, I paid the owner, and we left, happily followed by the handsome stranger.

Things were starting to feel alright again. Sure it was strange that the guildmaster had taken such an interest in me, but really, what difference did it make? I slung my arm around Rory’s shoulder, once again at peace with the world. That’s when I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was our handsome spy.

I dropped my fingers to my belt, fingering my knives. “Yes?” I asked, my voice steady. No spy was going to frighten me.

“Lady, I have need to speak with you privately.

“Why now? Why not while we were having lunch?”

“This cannot be spoken about in public, Lady. We must go somewhere private.”

I glanced at Rory, who stood nervously next to me. “How do we know we can trust you?” I asked him.

He looked straight into my eyes. “I know Keeran.”
~ Calleigh