Edema Rue

"I don't need their trust. Or yours."

Well yes, because they didn't want to be treated for their brandofandonitis.

She didn’t show any surprise that he knew, too much time spent in palaces for that, but of course it bothered her. “And I’d rather not give information to you. So it seems we are at a stalemate.” Yes.

She raised a dark eyebrow at him. “Answer mine first.” Again, Dilsha nodded mentally. By your people’s laws, I probably do. I shouldn’t be in much danger, though. If he harms me, he’ll cause a war.

Probably. “Fine, then. You have a name for me. Do I get one for you, or will you remain forever a stranger?”

The snail mourns them, then vows to steal the sandwich to avenge them. More dead friends. More lives lost in a hopeless battle. It adds their names to that of the caterpillar, the mushroom, and countless others.

Emily Dickenson?

The man who took me is here, Dilsha sent. And then, because she was infinitely generous, Thank you. “I am more than decay, stranger. You would do well to learn that.”

Yay! Glad it was so awesome!!

DUDE MORNINGTIDE I DONT CARE IF ITS FIVE IN THE AFTERNOON SLEEP IS IMPORTANT!!

Dilsha didn’t react visibly, but did the mental equivalent of a nod. She heard. “He can build a new one,” she replied. “No one…ah, no one with noble blood was hurt. I’d be happy to reimburse the families of the servants who were killed. What do you think they’d be worth, maybe…a copper? Two?”

“Why do you deserve to know?” It was no use pretending she didn’t…but she could argue well enough.

Dilsha stood hesitantly, her chin held high and her back straight. Most people would look worse after being knocked unconscious and taken to a prison, but she, strangely enough, looked almost…prettier. More in control. This is fine. I can get out. And when I do, I just need to wait until I receive word from home. She sat primly, aware of the needles hidden in her sleeves. It wouldn’t be hard to get one out…most spirits didn’t need blood, but giving it to one would strengthen its power in the world, especially blood from her family. She’d talk first, though. “I hear you.”

Zira shrugged. “It’s quicker. Easier. And it means people are less inclined to betray me.”

“Maybe I am,” Zira said carefully.

Dilsha glared at him, thought her vision was starting to blur. “You and your people. Such brutes. You have…you have no right…” she blacked out.

She was not running very fast. Dilsha hissed and fell. “Stop that,” she snarled, standing back up.

“Make you an ally?” She said it like a question, one eyebrow raised. A single drop of blood leaked out of the corner of her mouth.

Dilsha laughed at the magical effects. This was something she’d been trained in almost since birth. And so, while they stopped and ceased, she ran.

Zira sighed. "Worth a shot."

Strangely enough, though, healing the cut didn't make the pain stop. The blood had been offered, and the spirit was fulfilling its duty. Dilsha ran faster. Rot! Rotrotrotrotrot...this is going all wrong.

Dilsha raised an eyebrow at his magic. "No." Then she hurled her knife at the man, muttering a few words under her breath, and it grazed his arm. "Feast," she said, and suddenly the man felt as if he were being consumed. Knowing that it wouldn't last long on whatever this person was, she turn and ran into the kitchen, then out the back door and into an alley.

Zira stared into his eyes, and hers seemed to blur and grow in front of him.

Thanks Wittles!! I struggle to write female characters well, I'm glad it's finally working!

Dilsha glanced at him. "We'll talk later. Prince." She shook her head. "What right do you have to arrest me?" What? Dilsha thought, shocked. I thought only the nobility...later. We'll deal with that later.