The Warlord's Demand

by Irene Danger

  Farrow's-a-light-a-laugh-a-floated-a-onto-a-the-a-air,-a-"His-a-attention-a-is-a-tunneled-a-on-a-the-a-witch.-a-He-a-even-a-sent-a-Cadeon-a-away-a-on-a-some-a-mission-a-he-a-didn't-a-disclose-a-to-a-me-a-while-a-he-a-works-a-on-a-her."

  Daendrin-a-didn't-a-react-a-to-a-that-a-bit-a-of-a-information,-a-a-a-good-a-indication-a-of-a-what-a-the-a-Warlord-a-was-a-up-a-to-a-did-a-not-a-miss-a-him.-a-Regardless,-a-even-a-if-a-he-a-was-a-debauching-a-himself-a-with-a-that-a-Terithian-a-bitch,-a-his-a-to-do-a-list-a-just-a-grew-a-exponentially.

  First-a-thing-a-first,-a-Cerawynd-a-Sulveil-a-needed-a-to-a-be-a-addressed-a-and-a-then-a-he-a-needed-a-to-a-deal-a-with-a-the-a-aftermath-a-of-a-whatever-a-the-a-fuck-a-happened-a-at-a-the-a-Kazguard-a-Gate.-a-Unfortunately,-a-now-a-that-a-his-a-error-a-was-a-obvious-a-to-a-everyone,-a-his-a-investigation-a-was-a-going-a-to-a-have-a-to-a-be-a-reported-a-to-a-the-a-Warlord.

  Moira,-a-strike-a-him-a-dead.

  "Oh,-a-come-a-on,-a-Daendrin.-a-Our-a-pretty-a-little-a-elf-a-isn't-a-going-a-to-a-wait-a-all-a-day."-a-Farrow-a-said-a-bouncing-a-on-a-his-a-heels.

  "A-a-what?"-a-Daendrin-a-asked-a-incredulously.

  Farrow-a-wagged-a-his-a-eyebrows,-a-"Fun,-a-right?"

  Farrow-a-motioned-a-to-a-his-a-men-a-who-a-began-a-the-a-process-a-of-a-unlocking-a-the-a-carriage-a-that-a-acted-a-as-a-a-a-prison.-a-When-a-the-a-door-a-opened,-a-the-a-tension-a-in-a-the-a-air-a-made-a-the-a-men-a-nervous.-a-Reaching-a-in,-a-they-a-pulled-a-out-a-a-a-slight-a-thing-a-that-a-crashed-a-to-a-the-a-ground.

  Daendrin-a-watched-a-as-a-the-a-female,-a-whose-a-hands-a-had-a-been-a-tied-a-behind-a-her-a-back,-a-slid-a-her-a-knee-a-under-a-her-a-and-a-rose-a-from-a-the-a-ground.-a-He-a-had-a-never-a-seen-a-an-a-elf-a-before.-a-Long-a-before-a-the-a-realm-a-turned-a-on-a-the-a-witches...they-a-had-a-simply-a-disappeared.-a-They-a-had-a-been-a-around-a-occasionally-a-during-a-his-a-great-great-a-grandfather's-a-time-a-according-a-to-a-his-a-personal-a-writings.-a-But-a-even-a-he-a-had-a-described-a-the-a-awe-a-in-a-his-a-experiences.

  So,-a-where-a-had-a-Cerawynd-a-come-a-from?-a-And-a-how-a-had-a-the-a-Silver-a-witch-a-recruited-a-her?-a-And-a-why-a-wasn't-a-the-a-Warlord-a-interested?

  She-a-was-a-strange.-a-Her-a-skin,-a-if-a-all-a-could-a-be-a-believed,-a-had-a-a-a-lavender-a-tinge-a-to-a-it.-a-There-a-was-a-a-a-slight-a-triangle-a-tattooed-a-on-a-her-a-forehead-a-in-a-a-a-color-a-that-a-was-a-only-a-slightly-a-deeper-a-color-a-than-a-her-a-skin.-a-Her-a-hair-a-fell-a-like-a-spilled-a-ink-a-over-a-her-a-shoulders-a-and-a-almost-a-to-a-her-a-waist.-a-Daendrin-a-saw-a-that-a-her-a-pointed-a-ears-a-poked-a-through-a-the-a-screen-a-of-a-her-a-black-a-hair.-a-Her-a-eyes-a-were-a-large-a-and-a-light-a-and-a-the-a-planes-a-of-a-her-a-face-a-were-a-almost-a-unnaturally-a-sharp.-a-Her-a-mouth-a-was-a-full-a-and-a-her-a-demeanor-a-while-a-odd-a-was-a-ethereal.

  "Say-a-hello,-a-pet."-a-Farrow-a-said-a-to-a-her.

  "No-a-thanks."-a-She-a-said-a-and-a-Daendrin-a-noted-a-a-a-thrill-a-that-a-went-a-through-a-him-a-and-a-the-a-men-a-around-a-him.-a-Gods,-a-her-a-voice-a-was-a-like-a-the-a-sweetest-a-music.

  Daendrin-a-glared-a-again-a-at-a-Farrow,-a-"You're-a-jesting-a-with-a-me,-a-right?"

  "Don't-a-let-a-that-a-delectable-a-little-a-voice-a-fool-a-you,"-a-Farrow-a-pulled-a-his-a-collar-a-aside-a-revealing-a-an-a-impressive-a-set-a-of-a-teeth-a-marks,-a-"she's-a-devious."

  "I-a-can-a-tell-a-you're-a-bereaved."-a-He-a-said-a-dryly-a-stepping-a-forward-a-to-a-inspect-a-her-a-closer.

  Cerawynd-a-bared-a-her-a-teeth-a-and-a-he-a-stopped.

  "Has-a-she-a-told-a-you-a-anything,-a-Farrow?"-a-he-a-asked-a-wondering-a-if-a-he-a-was-a-going-a-to-a-have-a-to-a-deal-a-with-a-a-a-supernatural-a-being.-a-He-a-had-a-found-a-the-a-Silver-a-witch-a-a-a-wild-a-outlier-a-that-a-had-a-no-a-role-a-in-a-civilized-a-society.

  "That-a-she's-a-going-a-to-a-stab-a-my-a-eyes-a-out."-a-He-a-drawled.

  Daendrin-a-gave-a-him-a-another-a-look-a-and-a-Farrow-a-sigh,-a-"She's-a-not-a-too-a-talkative.-a-I-a-do-a-know-a-that-a-she's-a-a-a-little-a-angry-a-that-a-I've-a-captured-a-her.-a-I-a-ambushed-a-her-a-while-a-she-a-was-a-trying-a-to-a-help-a-the-a-witch-a-escape.-a-Her-a-sentiment-a-got-a-her-a-caught,-a-really,-a-considering-a-I'd-a-chased-a-her-a-all-a-over-a-the-a-godsforsaken-a-sea.-a-She-a-just-a-had-a-to-a-come-a-back."

  The-a-elf's-a-face-a-turned-a-haughty-a-as-a-she-a-stared-a-Farrow-a-down.-a-In-a-fact,-a-she-a-had-a-not-a-once-a-looked-a-directly-a-at-a-Daendrin—even-a-as-a-he-a-had-a-come-a-closer-a-to-a-her.-a-It-a-was-a-clear-a-that-a-her-a-animosity-a-was-a-directed-a-toward-a-Farrow-a-and-a-Daendrin-a-wondered-a-what-a-he-a-had-a-done-a-to-a-her-a-that-a-made-a-her-a-watch-a-every-a-move-a-he-a-made.

  "Do-a-you-a-know-a-that-a-the-a-witch-a-has-a-been-a-captured?"-a-Daendrin-a-asked-a-and-a-finally-a-she-a-focused-a-her-a-light-a-eyes-a-on-a-him.

  "Of-a-course,-a-just-a-as-a-I-a-know-a-Adrian-a-got-a-away-a-from-a-you,-a-Overlord."

  "Mind-a-your-a-manners,-a-love."-a-Farrow-a-said-a-earning-a-a-a-look-a-of-a-hatred.

  Daendrin-a-ignored-a-Farrow,-a-"Yes,-a-he-a-did.-a-Nevertheless,-a-I-a-would-a-not-a-celebrate-a-his-a-escape-a-for-a-too-a-long.-a-I-a-still-a-have-a-to-a-decide-a-what-a-to-a-do-a-with-a-you."

  She-a-gave-a-him-a-a-a-tight-a-smile,-a-an-a-odd-a-reaction-a-but-a-he-a-did-a-not-a-slow-a-down,-a-"You've-a-committed-a-terrorism-a-of-a-unspeakable-a-terms.-a-By-a-law-a-of-a-my-a-king,-a-now-a-your-a-king,-a-you're-a-up-a-for-a-the-a-chopping-a-block."

  Lifting-a-her-a-tiny-a-shoulders,-a-"Then-a-get-a-on-a-with-a-it.-a-I-a-grow-a-tired-a-of-a-being-a-in-a-this-a-dreary,-a-disgusting-a-country."

  Farrow-a-made-a-a-a-noise-a-in-a-his-a-throat,-a-"So-a-quick-a-to-a-get-a-away-a-from-a-me?-a-After-a-all-a-the-a-months-a-I-a-spent-a-tracking-a-you-a-down?"

  Her-a-mouth-a-pinched-a-and-a-if-a-she-a-were-a-not-a-a-a-complete-a-nuisance,-a-he-a-would-a-feel-a-sympathy-a-for-a-her.-a-Anyone-a-who-a-dealt-a-with-a-Farrow-a-for-a-long-a-periods-a-eventually-a-wanted-a-to-a-bang-a-their-a-head-a-against-a-the-a-nearest-a-hard-a-object.

  "I-a-really-a-should-a-execute-a-her."-a-Daendrin-a-said-a-offhandedly-a-noticing-a-that-a-his-a-wife-a-was-a-now-a-coming-a-out-a-of-a-the-a-large-a-doors-a-to-a-his-a-home.-a-He-a-needed-a-to-a-wrap-a-this-a-up.

  "Or-a-you-a-could-a-just-a-let-a-me-a-enslave-a-her.-a-It's-a-not-a-like-a-the-a-Warlord-a-was-a-in-a-a-a-hurry-a-to-a-see-a-her-a-dead."

  No,-a-Daendrin-a-thought-a-bitterly.-a-The-a-Warlord-a-had-a-an-a-important-a-member-a-of-a-the-a-Valiant-a-and-a-he-a-theorized-a-he-a-was-a-dumping-a-the-a-elf-a-on-a-Daendrin-a-for-a-several-a-reasons.

  One-a-of-a-them-a-being-a-that-a-he-a-was-a-trying-a-to-a-distract-a-him-a-from-a-the-a-information-a-that-a-Tryoxth-a-had-a-sent-a-him.-a-He-a-had-a-hoped-a-to-a-act-a-on-a-it-a-first-a-but-a-if-a-the-a-Warlord-a-had-a-dispatched-a-Cadeon-a-that-a-meant-a-he-a-had-a-not-a-acted-a-fast-a-enough.

  "Of-a-course-a-not.-a-Fine.-a-Do-a-with-a-her-a-what-a-you-a-will.-a-The-a-Warlord-a-has-a-the-a-witch-a-and-a-I-a-doubt-a-she-a-will-a-be-a-able-a-to-a-keep-a-her-a-secrets-a-for-a-long.-a-Crush-a-her-a-into-a-submission-a-or-a-I'll-a-kill-a-her."

  Farrow-a-hummed-a-in-a-agreement-a-and-a-Daendrin-a-walked-a-away-a-as-a-the-a-men-a-pushed-a-Cerawynd-a-back-a-into-a-the-a-carriage.-a-His-a-wife-a-met-a-him-a-before-a-he-a-could-a-enter.-a-Her-a-square-a-jaw-a-was-a-clenched-a-and-a-her-a-corn-a-blue-a-eyes-a-looked-a-upset.

  "My-a-Lord.-a-Someone-a-has-a-come."-a-She-a-said-a-in-a-her-a-raspy-a-voice-a-that-a-always-a-aroused-a-him.

  Placing-a-his-a-hands-a-on-a-her-a-shoulders,-a-he-a-pulled-a-her-a-flush-a-to-a-him,-a-"Do-a-not-a-worry.-a-It's-a-just-a-Farrow-a-and-a-his-a-fetishes.-a-He's-a-leaving-a-now."

  His-a-wife-a-shook-a-her-a-head,-a-her-a-silver-a-earrings-a-swinging-a-back-a-and-a-forth,-a-"No,-a-someone-a-else.-a-It's-a-a-a-messenger-a-from-a-the-a-royal-a-court.-a-Something-a-has-a-happened-a-with-a-the-a-king.-a-He's-a-requested-a-your-a-presence."

  Oh,-a-fuck-a-it-a-all.

  ******

  Siyura-a-laid-a-by-a-the-a-fireplace-a-that-a-had-a-started-a-to-a-die-a-out.-a-The-a-night-a-had-a-sucked-a-the-a-life-a-out-a-of-a-the-a-inhabitants-a-of-a-Sytadel,-a-the-a-Wa
rlord-a-not-a-excluded.-a-He-a-was-a-on-a-the-a-bed,-a-his-a-form-a-slightly-a-moving-a-up-a-and-a-down-a-with-a-his-a-quiet-a-breathing.-a-He-a-didn't-a-make-a-a-a-sound.

  She-a-would-a-have-a-happily-a-tried-a-to-a-murder-a-him-a-in-a-his-a-sleep-a-which-a-was-a-why-a-he-a-had-a-left-a-her-a-chained-a-by-a-the-a-fireplace.-a-He-a-had-a-looked-a-at-a-her-a-smugly-a-and-a-offered-a-to-a-allow-a-her-a-to-a-sleep-a-in-a-his-a-bed,-a-of-a-course,-a-if-a-she-a-wanted-a-to-a-"finish-a-what-a-we-a-started-a-in-a-the-a-hall".

  Siyura-a-hadn't-a-even-a-bothered-a-to-a-respond-a-and-a-he-a-was-a-in-a-such-a-a-a-terrific-a-mood-a-after-a-he-a-sent-a-Penelope-a-away,-a-he-a-let-a-her-a-get-a-away-a-with-a-it.-a-Penelope,-a-however,-a-hadn't-a-been-a-so-a-lucky.-a-The-a-Warlord-a-gave-a-into-a-her-a-request-a-but-a-conceded-a-she-a-still-a-needed-a-to-a-be-a-punished-a-for-a-her-a-"unpleasant"-a-behavior-a-toward-a-the-a-other-a-women.

  He-a-had-a-brought-a-out-a-a-a-thin-a-metal-a-belt-a-that-a-he-a-secured-a-around-a-her.-a-It-a-would-a-deny-a-her-a-self-pleasure-a-until-a-the-a-Warlord-a-wished.-a-He-a-ignored-a-her-a-pout,-a-telling-a-her-a-to-a-think-a-about-a-her-a-treatment-a-of-a-others.-a-Siyura-a-doubted-a-he-a-cared-a-about-a-how-a-she-a-treated-a-others-a-but-a-rather-a-just-a-wanted-a-to-a-inflict-a-emotional-a-torture-a-on-a-her.

  He-a-then-a-kicked-a-her-a-out-a-and-a-without-a-saying-a-anything-a-about-a-the-a-intense-a-situation,-a-he-a-un-gagged-a-Siyura.-a-He-a-then-a-took-a-her-a-down-a-only-a-to-a-chain-a-her-a-by-a-the-a-ankle-a-to-a-a-a-spot-a-for-a-her-a-to-a-settle-a-in-a-and-a-sleep.

  He-a-had-a-thrown-a-a-a-blanket-a-at-a-her-a-and-a-went-a-about-a-readying-a-for-a-the-a-night,-a-his-a-movements-a-quick.

  After-a-she-a-was-a-sure-a-he-a-had-a-fallen-a-asleep,-a-she-a-had-a-allowed-a-herself-a-to-a-relax-a-to-a-a-a-degree.-a-She-a-almost-a-wished-a-he-a-had-a-tortured-a-her-a-more-a-so-a-she-a-could-a-ignore-a-her-a-thoughts.-a-She-a-thought-a-about-a-the-a-night-a-earlier.

  The-a-Warlord-a-had-a-maneuvered-a-her-a-into-a-shattering-a-the-a-innocence-a-of-a-a-a-young-a-girl-a-who-a-didn't-a-seem-a-to-a-have-a-anything-a-on-a-her-a-side.-a-Siyura-a-didn't-a-like-a-how-a-Lyda-a-wore-a-her-a-vulnerability-a-on-a-her-a-face.-a-She-a-was-a-too-a-innocent-a-and-a-was-a-making-a-herself-a-a-a-target-a-for-a-anyone-a-who-a-cared-a-to-a-prey-a-on-a-her.-a-Goddess,-a-she-a-can-a-still-a-hear-a-her-a-soft-a-voice-a-begging-a-her-a-to-a-not-a-do-a-what-a-the-a-Warlord-a-was-a-making-a-her-a-do.-a-It-a-didn't-a-matter-a-that-a-there-a-was-a-a-a-worse-a-choice...she-a-had-a-taken-a-the-a-innocence-a-of-a-someone-a-else...someone-a-more-a-powerless.-a-She-a-killed-a-to-a-protect-a-her-a-country-a-and-a-the-a-innocents-a-in-a-it.-a-This-a-felt-a-different-a-to-a-her.

  The-a-Warlord-a-had-a-put-a-her-a-in-a-his-a-position.

  Siyura-a-could-a-feel-a-a-a-drop-a-of-a-something-a-dark-a-stain-a-take-a-root-a-inside-a-of-a-her.-a-It-a-expanded-a-and-a-edged-a-like-a-ink-a-in-a-water.

  The-a-embers-a-in-a-the-a-fire-a-were-a-glowing-a-softly,-a-which-a-reminded-a-her-a-of-a-the-a-other-a-problems-a-that-a-were-a-plaguing-a-her.

  Siyura-a-hated-a-and-a-feared-a-the-a-darkness.-a-With-a-the-a-darkness-a-came-a-the-a-brutes-a-and-a-not-a-ones-a-she-a-could-a-fight...because-a-the-a-fight-a-would-a-always-a-be-a-with-a-herself.-a-She-a-thought-a-she-a-would-a-see-a-her-a-mother-a-by-a-now-a-in-a-the-a-shadows-a-but-a-she-a-hadn't.-a-Her-a-presence-a-here-a-was-a-worrisome-a-to-a-Siyura-a-considering-a-the-a-chains-a-that-a-kept-a-her-a-trapped-a-here.-a-It-a-should-a-have-a-muted-a-everything-a-yet-a-her-a-mother-a-flitted-a-in-a-and-a-out-a-of-a-existence-a-to-a-torment-a-her.-a-If-a-she-a-was-a-still-a-seeing-a-her-a-mother-a-under-a-the-a-entrapment-a-curse-a-was-a-she-a-still-a-going-a-to-a-fall-a-victim-a-to-a-the-a-madness-a-the-a-afflicted-a-Sarca-a-witches?

  The-a-curse-a-did-a-an-a-excellent-a-job-a-of-a-choking-a-off-a-her-a-magic-a-but-a-it-a-had-a-to-a-still-a-be-a-trying-a-to-a-push-a-past-a-that-a-barrier.-a-That-a-had-a-to-a-be-a-why-a-she-a-was-a-still-a-seeing-a-her-a-mother's-a-ghost.-a-It-a-was-a-very-a-probable-a-it-a-was-a-going-a-to-a-break-a-free-a-and-a-she-a-would-a-facing-a-the-a-problem-a-that-a-she-a-had-a-been-a-quietly-a-trying-a-to-a-deal-a-during-a-and-a-before-a-the-a-war.

  The-a-same-a-problem-a-that-a-had-a-caused-a-her-a-mother's-a-death-a-and-a-her-a-mother-a-before-a-that.-a-An-a-impulse-a-that-a-would-a-demand-a-satiation-a-and-a-then-a-turn-a-around-a-and-a-punish-a-her-a-for-a-giving-a-in.

  She-a-guessed-a-she-a-should-a-be-a-thankful-a-to-a-the-a-Warlord-a-for-a-buying-a-her-a-some-a-time.

  But-a-how-a-much?-a-What-a-if-a-the-a-curse-a-was-a-powerful-a-enough-a-to-a-push-a-back-a-the-a-wave-a-of-a-her-a-magic?-a-Then-a-she-a-would-a-be-a-trapped-a-with-a-this-a-monster.-a-Unless-a-she-a-had-a-her-a-magic-a-to-a-back-a-her-a-up,-a-she-a-was-a-going-a-to-a-have-a-a-a-hard-a-time-a-getting-a-away.

  She-a-needed-a-to-a-find-a-the-a-fucking-a-anchor.

  She-a-honestly-a-had-a-no-a-idea-a-where-a-to-a-start.-a-She-a-had-a-only-a-seen-a-so-a-much-a-of-a-Sytadel-a-and-a-there-a-was-a-nothing-a-in-a-particular-a-that-a-stood-a-out-a-to-a-her.

  Siyura-a-was-a-sure-a-of-a-one-a-thing,-a-though:-a-it-a-had-a-to-a-be-a-small-a-and-a-be-a-easy-a-to-a-move.-a-She-a-had-a-forgotten-a-that-a-when-a-she-a-had-a-left-a-the-a-king's-a-dwelling,-a-the-a-chains-a-had-a-been-a-on-a-her.-a-The-a-only-a-way-a-she-a-would-a-have-a-been-a-able-a-to-a-be-a-transported-a-to-a-Sytadel-a-is-a-if-a-the-a-Warlord-a-had-a-given-a-Cadeon-a-the-a-anchor.-a-She-a-didn't-a-remember-a-anything-a-different-a-about-a-the-a-way-a-he-a-had-a-been-a-dressed-a-so-a-it-a-had-a-been-a-hidden-a-on-a-him.-a-Or-a-maybe-a-carried-a-with-a-some-a-of-a-the-a-other-a-men.

  It-a-was-a-the-a-only-a-idea-a-that-a-made-a-sense-a-but-a-it-a-still-a-did-a-not-a-help-a-her.-a-She-a-had-a-no-a-idea-a-what-a-the-a-Warlord-a-found-a-valuable-a-enough-a-to-a-use-a-because-a-she-a-did-a-not-a-know-a-him.-a-Frankly,-a-she-a-had-a-no-a-desire-a-to.-a-She-a-wished-a-she-a-knew-a-where-a-Cadeon-a-was-a-because-a-maybe...just-a-maybe-a-she-a-could-a-persuade-a-him-a-to-a-give-a-it-a-to-a-her.-a-She-a-saw-a-the-a-look-a-in-a-his-a-eyes-a-when-a-he-a-was-a-describing-a-the-a-Warlord's-a-method-a-of-a-assimilation.

  Cadeon,-a-she-a-was-a-almost-a-positive,-a-had-a-previously-a-been-a-in-a-her-a-position.-a-Siyura-a-was-a-going-a-to-a-have-a-to-a-appeal-a-to-a-that-a-even-a-though-a-the-a-idea-a-left-a-her-a-unhappy.-a-Bringing-a-those-a-types-a-of-a-memories-a-out-a-might-a-be-a-painful-a-for-a-him.

  And-a-she-a-had-a-no-a-doubt-a-they-a-were,-a-indeed,-a-painful.-a-She-a-just-a-had-a-to-a-wait-a-until-a-she-a-was-a-with-a-Cadeon,-a-if-a-the-a-Warlord-a-allowed-a-him-a-to-a-come-a-back-a-around.

  But-a-as-a-it-a-stood,-a-the-a-Warlord-a-was-a-her-a-only-a-option:-a-she-a-was-a-truly-a-going-a-to-a-have-a-to-a-curb-a-her-a-attitude-a-this-a-time.-a-That-a-was-a-enough-a-to-a-make-a-her-a-want-a-to-a-scream-a-or-a-vomit,-a-whichever-a-her-a-body-a-preferred.

  She-a-laid-a-down-a-on-a-the-a-blanket-a-and-a-twisted-a-to-a-get-a-as-a-comfortable-a-as-a-the-a-chain-a-would-a-allow.

  Siyura-a-closed-a-her-a-eyes.

  *****

  There-a-were-a-images-a-flashing-a-across-a-the-a-darkness:-a-fire,-a-chants,-a-and-a-red.-a-So-a-beautiful-a-and-a-cruel-a-and-a-it-a-was-a-inked-a-on-a-her-a-skin.-a-Embers-a-floated-a-on-a-the-a-air-a-and-a-she-a-watched-a-them-a-as-a-they-a-crafted-a-a-a-story-a-in-a-air.-a-The-a-language-a-was-a-fluid-a-and-a-she-a-knew-a-it-a-was-a-meant-a-for-a-her.-a-Written-a-about-a-her.

  She-a-felt-a-the-a-soft-a-dirt-a-under-a-her-a-feet:-a-a-a-path-a-well-a-walked-a-because-a-she-a-had-a-been-a-here-a-before.-a-She-a-followed-a-the-a-embers-a-still-a-dancing,-a-still-a-reciting,-a-still-a-undecipherable.

  "Wait...let-a-me..."-a-her-a-words-a-died-a-quickly-a-because-a-she-a-was-a-too-a-far-a-away-a-and-a-if-a-she-a-did-a-not-a-catch-a-up-a-to-a-the-a-story...it-a-would-a-leave-a-her-a-behind.-a-Still,-a-helplessly-a-she-a-watched-a-them-a-float-a-up-a-toward-a-the-a-night-a-sky-a-as-a-expansive-a-as-a-a-a-sea.

  And-a-there-a-she-a-saw-a-the-a-embers-a-circle-a-up-a-near-a-the-a-moon.-a-Bright-a-and-a-intelligent-a-like-a-an-a-eye-a-without-a-an-a-iris.